PDF:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6qm4h6utmzikmu4/Pedersen%20sentencing%20PR.pdf?dl=0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 23, 2017
Pedersen sentenced for burning live kitten
Humane Society of Utah executive director attends hearing, makes statement on behalf of cats killed.
Spencer Jens Pedersen, a 26-year-old Provo man, was sentenced Monday, Jan. 23, by Judge Robert C. Lunnen of the 4th District Court in American Fork, Utah. The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt attended the sentencing hearing. Pedersen was sentenced zero to five years in a Utah State Penitentiary for both third-degree felony counts -- torture of a companion animal and possession or use of a controlled substance, to run concurrently. HSU hopes Pedersen serves the maximum time.
Pedersen was arrested by Provo police officers Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, on reports of torturing and killing up to 11 cats in Provo, Utah. On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Pedersen pleaded guilty to one count of animal torture and one drug count; the other charges were dismissed. Pedersen admitted to lighting a kitten on fire. The kitten was later euthanized by veterinarians due to injuries sustained in the fire.
“The Humane Society of Utah spent eight years helping work to make animal torture a felony charge,” said Gene Baierschmidt, HSU executive director. “We’re pleased to know that Pedersen was charged under this law, known as Henry’s Law, and hope Pedersen will spend the full time in prison. We are aware that many cats were tortured and killed. He sought them out, paid money to buy them, and killed them in atrocious ways. Animal torture is highly correlated with other anti-social behavior, and we believe Pedersen needs psychiatric treatment. His behavior is scary; he is a danger to society.”
Thomas said Pedersen had purchased several kittens from people over a period of at least six months. One person sold him seven kittens for $40 each and one for $20. A second person sold Pederson four kittens, one he paid $120 to buy. A third person said they gave him kittens.
As Lunnen read Pedersen’s statement, he felt that Pedersen did not recognize the problem or severity of his actions. He felt that Pedersen had minimalized his problems and was concerned that he is a risk to the public. “It would be more appropriate for the AP&P (Adult Probation and Parole) to handle his case and perform a psychological evaluation,” said Judge Lunnen.
Utah County prosecutor Julia Thomas said that she “had never seen animal torture with heroin use.” Thomas said Pedersen’s depraved anti-social behavior was highly alarming and asked that he be sentenced according to the statute since he needs time away from the community.
Of the many dead cats found in a neighbor’s yard and Pedersen’s property, Pedersen pleaded guilty to the burning of one kitten. Pedersen claimed it was a spur of the moment action after his German shepherd dog was injured by the kitten. A call to police about the burning kitten was received at 3:12 a.m. Pedersen was seen filling an orange juice container at a nearby gas station before the incident.
Judge Lunnen began the hearing with a statement that he had read letters from Pedersen’s wife and family but not from the public. Lunnen said he glanced at the top of many letters and found that most were emotional and not factual or objective. Utah County prosecutor Julia Thomas noted that the state did want the public’s letters to be read because the community concerns were valid in this case.
Thomas noted that the two police officers who responded to the call about the burning kitten were present in the courtroom. She said the case had greatly affected them.
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About the Humane Society of Utah
The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering abandoned animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across our state. HSU is an open-admissions shelter, meaning that our doors are always open for any animal that we can legally accept. We work hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters our facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization. We receive no tax dollars or government funding. HSU is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations. Read more about the HSU online at www.utahhumane.org.
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THIS WEEK: 166 Events in Utah to Raise Awareness About School Choice
The Beehive State plays key role in National School Choice Week,
Gov. Herbert issues official proclamation.
SALT LAKE CITY–– National School Choice Week begins today in Utah and across the country. There are 166 events planned in the Beehive State to raise awareness about K-12 school choice, and 21,392 events nationwide.
The events in Utah, which are independently planned and independently funded, include everything from information sessions and open houses at schools to rallies, policy discussions, and movie screenings organized by community groups. Highlighted events include a large school choice celebration January 26 at 11 a.m. at the Utah State Capitol.
The cities of Enterprise, Helper City, Naples, and Pleasant Grove and Governor Herbert have issued official proclamations recognizing January 22-28, 2017 as “School Choice Week.”
National School Choice Week provides families in Utah with the opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available for their children in advance of the 2017-2018 school year. The Week also raises awareness of the importance of providing every child with effective education options.
"Students, parents, teachers, and community leaders in Utah have a lot to celebrate during National School Choice Week," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "Utah has long been a pioneer in providing a diversity of K-12 education options for children and families."
With a goal of raising public awareness of effective education options for children, National School Choice Week will be the largest celebration of education options in US history.
SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR UTAH FAMILIES
ABOUT NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
Wayne's World Returns to Select Theaters Nationwide on
February 7th and 8th to Celebrate the Film's 25th Anniversary
Re-release Includes a Captured Live On Screen Chat with
Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Lorne Michaels, director
enelope Spheeris, Tia Carrere, Colleen Camp
and Robert Patrick Exclusive to the Theatrical Event
Find Theaters and Tickets at www.waynesworld25.com
Special Events To Be Held This Weekend in
Los Angeles, CA
January 24th,
2017 - Los Angeles, California
- In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the iconic comedy classic Wayne's World, SpectiCast and Paramount Pictures are hosting excellent, two-night, theatrical events on February 7th and 8th, 2017. Fans across the U.S. will have the chance to party on with Wayne and Garth when the film returns to more than 400 theaters. The special events will include an exclusive introduction by Peter Travers (Rolling Stone Magazine and ABC-TV) and a videotaped chat with the director and cast members after the film. Wayne's World was originally released on February 14, 1992.
In addition to the film making its way back to theaters, Wayne's World events will be taking over Aurora, IL and Los Angeles, CA.
In Los Angeles this weekend, (January 27th - January 29th), Entertainment Weekly and Sports Illustrated are partnering for special Wayne's World events taking place during NHL All Star Weekend sponsored by Honda. The film will be showing at the LA Convention Center and fans can spend time at Stan Mikita's Donuts, which will be specially reconstructed for this event.
Aurora (the film's setting), will be celebrating all over the city with over a dozen events happening from early February until July. Plans include a special screening on February 2nd, look-alike contest, an air guitar competition, poster contests, giveaways and much more. Learn more about what is happening in Aurora, here: https://goo.gl/1CbJxG
Fans are also encouraged to keep an ear out, as ticket giveaways are being held with the top classic rock radio stations around the country.
Based on the "Saturday Night Live" sketch of the same name, Wayne's World is a wacky, irreverent pop-culture comedy about the adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey). From Wayne's basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. Wayne's World, directed by Penelope Spheeris, grossed $183 million in its theatrical run, placing it as the tenth highest-grossing film of 1992 and the highest-grossing of the 11 films based on "Saturday Night Live" skits. The movie features Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Lara Flynn Boyle, Brian Doyle-Murray, Robert Patrick, Chris Farley, Ed O'Neill, Ione Skye, Meat Loaf, and Alice Cooper.
Tickets for the February 7th and 8th events may be purchased at www.waynesworld25.com.
"Wayne's World transcends generations to pay tribute to an indelible place in American pop culture," says SpectiCast CEO Mark Rupp. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone Magazine adds, "Director Penelope Spheeris brings out the best in Mike Myers and Dana Carvey while converting a classic SNL sketch into an enduring, full bodied film for the ages."
Paramount Home Media Distribution also will celebrate the anniversary with a Wayne's World Double Feature on DVD and Digital HD, arriving February 14, 2017. Plus, Wayne's World will be available on iTunes with new-to-digital extras, including a Director's Commentary and Making-Of featurette.
For new artwork/photos related to the Wayne's World 25th Anniversary, visit the SpectiCast press site at http://www.specticast.com/en/titles/wayne-s-world-25th-birthday-bash
About SpectiCast
SpectiCast is one of the fastest growing producers, financiers, distributors and marketers of Event Cinema worldwide. We have distributed over 400 event cinema releases to screens around the globe and have brought original world class programming to audiences on over four thousand screens in 65 countries. We have distributed programs from some of the world's most prestigious cultural arts organizations and leading entertainment companies including the Opera de Paris, The Vatican Museums, The Royal Albert Hall, The Salzburg Festival, The Paris Opera Ballet, the Mariinsky Theatre, the British Museum, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Universal Music, Sony Music, Paramount, Warner Bros., Trancas International, and EagleRock Entertainment - featuring works by Shakespeare and Shaw, Beethoven and Bach, da Vinci and Dalì, Sondheim and Satriani - with performances by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Renée Fleming, Christopher Plummer, Paul McCartney, Drake, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones just to name a few.
SpectiCast provides content rights holders with turnkey access to worldwide theatrical distribution as well as all downstream digital distribution platforms including DVD, VOD and TV. We also provide a wide range of logistical and digital media services including feature and short mastering, trafficking and logistical support, Encryption/KDM management and quality control service.
SpectiCast is a privately owned and operated firm based in Philadelphia, PA. We also maintain offices in Pittsburgh, PA, Mexico City, MX and London UK.
About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier media brands that create television programs, motion pictures, consumer products, and digital content for audiences in 180 countries and territories. The PHMD division oversees PPC's home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.
