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Prosecutors and defense attorneys will seek life in prison for the Red Lodge man accused of fatally shooting the homeless man who had been staying with the killer and his common-law spouse.

Thomas Joseph Schifferns, 33, pleaded guilty last week in Carbon County District Court to deliberate homicide.

County Attorney Alex Nixon said the other charges of theft, robbery and evidence tampering were dropped, and that the prosecution and defense will jointly recommend life in prison at Schifferns’ May 6 sentencing.

Schifferns shot and killed James McGregor, 63, near Highway 212 south of Red Lodge on Feb. 19, 2018. McGregor’s body was found in a creek-side depression 100 yards from McGregor’s truck, which was stuck in the snow.

McGregor had been staying with Schifferns’ common-law spouse, who reported McGregor’s disappearance to law enforcement and said a safe where McGregor stored cash had been emptied and left open.