Sentencing delayed for Ferndale shooter

Bigfork Eagle

The sentencing hearing for the man charged with killing Ferndale resident Clyde Wilson on Dec. 31, 2007, was postponed from Wednesday, Feb. 5, to Monday, March 23.

Ronald Lon Petersen, 20, of Bigfork, pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide charges in January, just weeks before his trial in Lake County Court was set to begin.

The plea agreement calls for a joint recommendation of 100 years in prison with no chance of parole.

After Petersen changed his plea, Lake County Attorney Mitch Young did not elaborate on the deal, only saying that there “might” be more revealed concerning a motive at the sentencing.

Court documents state that Petersen broke into Wilson’s home on New Year’s Eve and shot him three times while his girlfriend and infant child slept nearby.

Petersen was extradited to Lake County after he was arrested in Fort Bragg, N.C., where he was stationed with the U.S. Army, in January 2008.

The hearing on March 23, will be at 9 a.m.