Stevensville man pleads guilty to negligent homicide in mother’s death

Ronan Elias Sterling-Shanahan, aka Justin Joe Whitfield, 47, of Stevensville, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and tampering with evidence in the death of his mother, Eda Lyn Karr, in Ravalli County District Court on Thursday, July 6.

Under the plea agreement Sterling-Shanahan waives his right to any future appeal. The agreement is an open plea. A sentencing hearing has been set for 9 a.m. on Sept. 5. at the District Court in Hamilton. Ravalli County attorney Bill Fulbright said that his office will present evidence and make sentencing recommendations at the hearing on Sept. 5. The maximum penalty for the two felony offenses is 30 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Ronan Elias Sterling-Shanahan, aka Justin Joe Whitfield

Provided photo

Sterling-Shanahan was arrested on Oct. 16, 2022, and charged in Ravalli County District Court on Nov. 15, 2022, with deliberate homicide, theft, exploitation of an incapacitated person and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies. He initially pleaded not guilty on all counts.

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