Lott seeks sentence reduction

SANDPOINT — A former Bonner County man serving a 25-year prison term for the death of his wife is seeking a reduced sentence.

Counsel for Stephen Mathew Lott argues the fixed term he was handed is too excessive, according to 1st District Court records.

Lott was indicted by a Bonner County grand jury in 2018 on charges of first-degree murder and failing to notify authorities of a death, 12 years after Christine Lott disappeared. His wife’s remains were discovered in a remote section of forest east of Coeur d’Alene in 2016.

Lott’s explanation for his wife’s disappearance shifted over time and made unsubstantiated claims that she was unfaithful and a drug abuser. He finally claimed he found her dead with a zip tie around her neck following an argument.

Lott entered Alford pleas to failing to notify and an amended charge of voluntary manslaughter. Under such a plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes a conviction could be obtained if the case went to trial.

Last month, Judge Barbara Buchanan imposed a fixed 15-year term on the manslaughter charge and a fixed 10-year term on the failure-to-notify charge and ordered the sentences to be served consecutively due to Stephen Lott’s lack of remorse or acceptance of responsibility in his wife’s death. He also subjected Christine Lott’s family to extended cover-up in which he cast unsubstantiated aspersions about her faithfulness, drug use and devotion to their three children.

The Idaho Department of Correction’s website does not indicate where Lott, 50, is serving his sentences.

A hearing on the defense motion is set for Nov. 4.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.