Trial begins Monday in Ferndale shooting

The Daily Inter Lake

Lawrence Roedel, 67, accused of killing his common-law wife in 2005

The trial of a Ferndale man accused of murder is scheduled to begin Monday in Flathead County District Court in Kalispell.

Lawrence Roedel is accused of shooting to death Dawn Thompson, his common-law wife, on Aug. 27, 2005, at their Ferndale home.

Deputy County Attorney Ed Corrigan will prosecute Roedel, who faces as long as life or 100 years in prison. Roedel is defended by Whitefish attorney Jack Quatman.

He was arrested after calling 911 and saying he had shot Thompson, 36. Roedel is 67 and reportedly is a blood relative of Thompson's.

Her body was found at the bottom of a stairway in their home.

Flathead County Sheriff's Office reports state that Thompson was shot once in the back. Two other shots reportedly were fired; Roedel allegedly has said that the shooting was an accident.

The trial is scheduled to last four days.