Man pleads guilty to murder

ST. MARIES – One year and a day after he was arrested, the man who killed a 76-year-old woman pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday morning as part of a plea deal.

Lawrence Banderob, 38, admitted to the February 2006 murder of Miriam Waltch. His mother and other family members sat behind him in the austere Benewah County courtroom.

“I believe my actions caused the death of Ms. Waltch, therefore I plead guilty,” Banderob told the judge, as first reported on spokesmanreview.com.

The former St. Maries resident wore blue jeans and a white T-shirt, and toward the end of the court proceedings began to cry behind thick glasses.

The guilty plea means the prosecution will not seek the death penalty for Banderob, who will face a life sentence but be eligible for parole in 10 to 35 years. A judge will set the fixed number of years Banderob must spend in prison on June 19, if the judge accepts the plea agreement.

The state also will drop the first-degree arson charge as part of the agreement.

Sheriff’s records say Banderob had been drinking in St. Maries and was kicked out of a tavern. His daughter picked him up and drove him home, but their car became stuck.

Banderob then stole a truck from a nearby home, but that also became stuck. According to the records, he entered Waltch’s home and demanded the use of her vehicle to get his car unstuck. When Waltch, who lived alone, failed to comply, Banderob beat her and bound her using computer cords.

He then drove home, but later returned and shot the woman in the head and leg with a .22-caliber rifle.

The next afternoon, according to the documents, he returned to Waltch’s home and used gasoline to start a fire, and he also pushed her red Chevrolet Corsica over the edge of a hill and set it on fire.

During Thursday morning’s court appearance, Banderob wore handcuffs attached to a long chain circling his waist. He spoke mostly in response to questions from the judge and offered no testimony.

“He has resigned himself to the fact that he’s going to be in a state penitentiary for a long time,” said Banderob’s attorney, Tim Gresback, after the appearance. “Lots of tears have been shed, and he is extremely remorseful.”

Gresback said the plea agreement came after eight hours of negotiations Saturday at the Latah County Jail, where Banderob has been held for most of the past year.

“We breathe a little easier when the threat of an execution is removed,” Gresback said.

Part of the agreement requests that Banderob be sent to prison in Orofino, Idaho, so he can be closer to his family for visits. The agreement also lifts the no-contact orders between Banderob and his daughter, Desi.

Becky Jean Bailey, who was Banderob’s wife at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty to arson last month in exchange for other charges being dropped.