A Montana man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering another man he believed received an unfair share of a lucrative land inheritance, while he was left with only $5,000.
James Phillip Lawrence, 72, appeared before a judge Thursday and was sentenced to 50 years for deliberate homicide and an additional 10 years for tampering with evidence in the death of Edwin "Ed" Loder. The sentences will be served concurrently. Lawrence pleaded guilty to the charges in April.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the investigation began when Ed Loder, 67, was reported missing from his home in Polson on Sept. 4, 2024. Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies responding to the disappearance discovered blood near the residence along with Loder's eyeglasses and at least five 9 mm shell casings.
Background
The case traces back to an inheritance dispute following the death of a local landowner in Montana. A will obtained during the investigation revealed that Ed Loder was named the sole beneficiary of 80 acres of land adjacent to his property, estimated to be worth millions of dollars. Lawrence and his wife were also named as partial beneficiaries but stood to receive only $5,000 each.
Investigators learned there had been tension over the inheritance distribution, with some individuals believing they deserved a larger share of the estate. Detectives determined that Lawrence's red Chevrolet pickup truck was in the Polson area around Aug. 30, 2024, placing him near Loder's home during the estimated time of the killing.
The Investigation
Through analysis of surveillance footage and cellphone data, investigators identified Lawrence as a suspect in Loder's disappearance. When confronted by detectives, Lawrence admitted to killing Loder, reportedly stating: "I'm toast anyways I guess, so, yeah I did it. I just got him."
Lawrence explained to investigators that his anger stemmed from the inheritance arrangement. He accused Loder of manipulating an elderly landowner near her death bed and securing a will that favored the victim while leaving Lawrence with only $5,000. However, detectives later determined the inheritance arrangement had been in place for two to three years prior to the landowner's death.
The investigation revealed that after shooting Loder, Lawrence loaded the victim's body into his truck and transported it to Jacko Canyon, where he discarded the remains. On Sept. 6, 2024, Lawrence led authorities to the location of the body. He was subsequently arrested and has remained in custody since his initial detention.
Key Takeaways
- James Phillip Lawrence, 72, sentenced to 50 years for deliberate homicide and 10 years for tampering with evidence
- Victim Ed Loder, 67, was killed after an inheritance dispute over land worth millions
- Lawrence received only $5,000 from the estate while Loder inherited 80 acres valued at millions
- Lawrence confessed to detectives: "I'm toast anyways I guess, so, yeah I did it. I just got him."
- Body dumped at Jacko Canyon; defendant led authorities to remains two days after victim reported missing
What's Next
Lawrence will serve his sentence in a Montana state correctional facility with no possibility of parole for the foreseeable future. The case serves as an example of how inheritance disputes can escalate to violence when expectations of financial gain go unmet.
At sentencing, prosecutors characterized the killing as premeditated, while defense attorneys argued it was a crime of passion. The judge imposed the maximum sentence allowable under Montana law.