Sandpoint murderer gets 20-year term

SANDPOINT – A Sandpoint man convicted of first-degree murder in the execution-style slaying of another man will spend at least 20 years in prison.

District Judge Lansing Haynes sentenced 24-year-old Christopher Alan Lewers to life in prison, with a chance of parole after 20 years, in the August 2005 shooting death of Christopher E. West, 25.

Lewers and Kenneth Eugene Thurlow, 46, were accused of ambushing and executing West outside a towing company garage.

Thurlow was convicted last year of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no parole. He is appealing the conviction.