Suspects in NW crime spree accused of hate crimes


August 17, 2012 at 3:30p.m.

Suspects in NW crime spree accused of hate crimes

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A couple accused in a three-state Northwest killing spree last fall now face federal hate crime charges alleging they killed four people as part of a white supremacist campaign.

Amanda Marshall, the U.S. attorney for Oregon, said today that a federal grand jury has indicted 32-year-old David “Joey” Pedersen and 25-year-old Holly Ann Grigsby on racketeering charges.

She says they’re accused of going on their rampage to promote a movement that would purify and preserve the white race.

Pedersen has pleaded guilty in Washington state to killing his father and stepmother. He could face life in prison. Grigsby is awaiting trial.

The other victims were an Oregon teenager and a black man in Northern California.