Man sentenced to state hospital

A Polson man was sentenced to 20 years in the state hospital for shooting his father in the woods near the Sanders County line in 2008.

Ross Elliot Johnson, 21, appeared via video link Tuesday before District Court Judge Stewart Stadler.

Johnson had submitted an Alford plea to negligent homicide.

In an Alford plea, while not admitting guilt, the defendant admits that the prosecution could likely prove the charge in court because there is significant evidence.

Johnson was arrested Sept. 1, 2008, after a two-day standoff at his family’s home outside Polson. Investigators say Johnson fled there after shooting his father, 47-year-old Roger Johnson, on Aug. 30, 2008, in the woods about 45 miles west of Kalispell.

Johnson’s mental state at the time of the killing had been called into question due to past serious head injuries. He has been at the state hospital in Warm Springs since October 2008.

If Johnson no longer needs to remain at the Montana State Hospital before his 20 years are up, he must appear before the court to determine appropriate placement.