(HELENA) Skyler Schnider was sentenced on Wednesday to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of Katherine Spencer.
Spencer was 23 years old.
In May, a jury found Schneider guilty of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence following a week-long trial.
On July 1, 2017, Schneider called 911 to report that a woman had been shot in a vehicle on 12th Avenue and was bleeding badly.
When police arrived, they found Spencer in the passenger seat with a gunshot wound to her head.
Police searched an area where a neighbor reported seeing Schneider following what the neighbor said sounded like fireworks.
Detectives found a 9MM semi-automatic handgun in that same area.
During the investigation, police said Schneider denied shooting Spencer but did say the two had been in an argument earlier that evening.
Schneider was also ordered to pay $22,310.26 in restitution.
(JULY 3, 2017) The woman who died after being shot in Helena on Saturday has been identified as Katherine Spencer.
Spencer was 23 years old.
Lewis & Clark County Coroner Bryan Backeberg released her name on Monday.
An autopsy has been completed at the state crime lab in Missoula, but the cause of death is still pending.
Prosecutors say Schneider called 911 and told dispatchers that a woman had been shot in a vehicle and was bleeding badly.
Court records say when officers arrived they saw a man run past the vehicle where Spencer was found.
Police say moments later the same man – later identified as Schneider – came back through the alley and was detained.
When police approached the vehicle they found Spencer in the passenger seat with a single gunshot wound to the head. Police also saw a bullet hole in the windshield directly in front of Spencer and a spent 9MM shell casing outside the vehicle.
Police searched an area where a neighbor reported seeing Schneider after what the neighbor said sounded like fireworks. Detectives reported finding a 9MM semi-automatic handgun in that same area.
During questioning police say Schneider denied shooting Spencer, but did say the two had been in an argument earlier that evening.
Police arrested 21-year-old Skyler Schneider in connection with the shooting.
He has been charged with deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence.
Schneider made his initial appearance in court on Monday.
Schneider’s preliminary hearing in District Court is set for July 21, followed by a July 26 arraignment, where he is expected to enter a plea.
Bail for Schneider was set at $100,000.
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