Pendleton guilty of killing his mother and Grand Forks police officer

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – Salamah Pendleton is convicted of killing his mother Lola Moore and Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte.

He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Sergeant Kelly McLean and Corporal Ron Nord.

“Count one as for the charge of murder, extreme indifference to the value of human life as charged in count one of the information Officer Cody Holte, we the jury duly panel and sworn in the title action do find the defendant Salamah Corey Pendleton guilty,” The jury foreperson said.

Salamah Pendleton was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, as well as criminal mischief, terrorizing, reckless endangerment, and possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana. He was found guilty on seven of nine charges. He was found not guilty for one count of attempted murder and criminal mischief.

“That was a very difficult case for everybody involved. Obviously, the state did an excellent job in putting their evidence on. I think we were successful in giving the jury something to think about. They worked really hard at it and we just have to go forward from here,” Defense Attorney Steve Mottinger said.

Mottinger doesn’t believe Pendleton killed his mother.

“My own personal feeling is Mr. Pendleton did not intend any harm to come to his mother and if did, that’s something everyone is going to have to process, I guess,” Mottinger said.

Grand Forks County Assistant State’s Attorney Carmell Mattison says she believes accountability was served, not justice.

“I hope this accountability will lead towards justice for both of these families and for our community that we can now start healing,” Mattison said.

She is thankful for everyone who worked on this case including the law enforcement and the Holte Family.

“I want to thank them for allowing both of us to work this case. To give us the time and space we needed to work the case. For the support, they had in us. For the confidence they had in us and I also want to extend my condolences to the Lola Moore family,” Mattison said.

Pendleton will be sentenced October 15th.