ASOTIN, WA – The 27-year-old man accused of slaughtering a sow and two piglets at the Clarkston FFA barn in May was arraigned today in Asotin County Superior Court. During the hearing, Lyden Blackburn pled not guilty to one count of First-Degree Burglary, three counts of Malicious Killing of Livestock, two counts of Second-Degree Theft of Livestock, and two counts of Second-Degree Animal Cruelty. He is being held at the Asotin County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Blackburn was arrested on July 1st after witnesses came forward to identify him. Multiple videos had been circulated on social media since the incident and Helping Hands Rescue offered a reward.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, Blackburn was allegedly intoxicated when he stole a roommate’s rifle, walked to the FFA barn in the 1400 block of 16th Avenue, and killed the pigs. According to witnesses, Lyden admitted to killing the pigs and then cooking the piglets on a BBQ grill.
Blackburn reportedly told an Asotin County Sheriff’s Deputy that he did not recall killing the pigs in the early morning hours of May 16th.
“I asked Blackburn if he could tell me about that day and he stated he couldn’t remember Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday due to being intoxicated. I asked Blackburn if he had slaughtered animals and cooked them prior and he advised he had, but didn’t remember “why” he had done it, or even doing it,” the affidavit says.
The deputy also reportedly asked Blackburn how he knew how to slaughter the pigs and he stated, “YouTube.”
Blackburn’s next court date is July 17th at 9:00 a.m.
