POLSON — The man charged with deliberate homicide in the death of a Ronan man appeared in a Polson courtroom on Wednesday morning.
James Phillip Lawrence, 70, of Polson pleaded not guilty to charges of Deliberate Homicide and Tampering with Evidence in the death of 67-year-old Ed Loder.
Prosecutors previously stated in court documents that a blood trail, at least five bullet casings, and bloody eyeglasses were found along a section of Timberlane Road.
According to court documents, Lawrence waived his Miranda rights and told investigators, "I'm toast anyways I guess, so, yeah I did it."
A jury trial for Lawrence has been set for March 3, 2024, at 9 a.m.
Lawrence could face a sentence of up to life in prison if he's found guilty on the deliberate homicide charge.
- information from Sean Wells included in this report
