MISSOULA — The man charged with deliberate homicide in the shooting death of 67-year-old Ed Loder in September of 2024 was sentenced to 50 years for deliberate homicide and 10 years for tampering with evidence in the death of the Ronan man. The sentences will be served concurrently, handed down by Lake County District Judge Molly Owen.
(WATCH: James Lawrence sentenced after confessing to murder over a possible property inheritance dispute)
James Phillip Lawrence was charged after Loder's body was found in the Twin Lakes/Jocko Canyon area outside of St. Ignatius on Sept. 6, 2024.
An extensive investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies led investigators to believe that Loder had been killed.
Prosecutors state in court documents that a blood trail, at least five bullet casings, and bloody eyeglasses were found along a section of Timberlane Road.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell previously stated that Lawrence had cooperated with the investigation, which led to Loder's body being found.
According to court documents, Lawrence waived his Miranda rights and told investigators, "I'm toast anyways I guess, so, yeah I did it."
Investigators learned of a possible financial motive in the case involving a land dispute stemming from an inheritance of property that is estimated to be worth millions of dollars, court documents show.
On June 12, 2026, a full courtroom watched as Lake County police, experts, witnesses, and family gave testimony in the sentencing of 71-year-old James Lawrence.
Ed Loder's son Greg stated that 600 people were said to have attended his celebration of life.
"Ed spent his life helping people around him, the quiet way he made people’s lives easier. He was the center of our family and a beloved fixture of the valley," Greg shared in the courtroom.
Intention was the key argument point for both the prosecution and defense during Friday's sentencing.
County Attorney James Lapotka stated Lawrence was angry over a will for four years, hunted Loder down at his house, killed him, and then disposed of his body in the Jocko Canyon area.
Lawrence's lawyer, Benjamin Darrow, argued that Lawrence went to Loder's on August 31, 2024, without planning to kill him. Darrow stated Lawrence had a heated coversation with Loder about the inheritance money and then in moment of anger and shot him.
Lawrence said he was very sorry to the Loder family and said he hates that it happened.
Ultimately, Judge Molly Owen found Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Gale's report of cell phone and camera evidence convincing, showing premeditation in Loder’s death.
Deputy Gale showed the court surveillance footage from residences and businesses spotting Lawrence's red truck and matched it with phone and camera records for Lawrence and Johnathan Drennan-Beck on the date of the crime.
Lawrence had previously taken a plea deal. The maximum of that deal was enforced; 50 years for deliberate homicide which concurrently with 10 years for tampering with evidence minus 644 days time served.
“Obviously a sentence no matter how long never does bring anyone back. But, we are satisfied with the outcome and happy just to close this chapter and move on to the next," Greg Loder said
Greg Loder says his family can properly grieve now. He also gave thanks to law enforcement and all who have supported his family.
“The last year and a half or year and a half plus has not been the grieving process. Now, we can start and move on to the next piece I think," Greg Loder explained. He added that following sentencing he will continue “Remembering him, teaching his values to our kids, and never stop talking and telling stories of him.”
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Deliberate homicide charges filed in death of Ronan man (SEPT. 12, 2024)
Editor's note: This story has been updated with statements from the court hearing.
