Sentencing is today in Holt killing

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man is scheduled to be sentenced today in a senseless killing that devastated two families.

James Matthew Anderson faces 10 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Elvin “Eli” Holt on Nov. 27, 2008.

A Bonner County jury convicted Anderson following an emotional six-day trial in 1st District Court last October. Jurors concluded Anderson shot Holt without justification during an argument outside Anderson’s home at the Travel America trailer park.

Anderson, 30, initially told a Bonner County sheriff’s detective that the shooting was done in self-defense, but later stated his .44-caliber revolver discharged accidentally. Anderson did not take the stand at trial.

Anderson alleged that Holt and his stepbrother attacked him on his doorstep, apparently over a battery Anderson perpetrated on Holt’s friend the previous month. Anderson told investigators the confrontation prompted him to retrieve the handgun and intended on using it to persuade Holt and Ian James Freir to leave.

Holt, also 30, was shot in the face at close range and died instantly.

At trial, Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson argued Anderson picked up the weapon in self-defense, but did not fire in self-defense. She said the weapon fired accidentally when Freir bumped Anderson’s hand during the confrontation.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall emphasized that Anderson contradicted his claim that the shooting was accidental when he was being questioned by a dispatcher immediately after the slaying.

Robertson unsuccessfully sought to have the guilty verdict overturned, arguing jurors did not follow instructions. She said an unidentified juror admitted to her that she didn’t follow the court’s instruction and based her verdict on other issues.