A 55-year-old woman has pleaded not guilty to felony deliberate homicide after allegedly shooting and killing her boyfriend in their Hungry Horse home.

Pamela Ruth Haines entered the plea Thursday in Flathead District Court.

A charging document alleges Haines called 911 to report she had shot 71-year-old Thomas Eugene Edwards at their 243 First Ave. N. home. Responders found Edwards lying on the ground with a single, small-caliber gunshot wound to his chest and pronounced him dead at the scene.

The shooting reportedly took place after an argument between Haines and Edwards, who had recently moved to Hungry Horse from California.

Haines allegedly admitted shooting Edwards after being transported to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Her attorney filed of a notice of affirmative defense during Thursday’s hearing.

The filing by public defender Noel Larrivee — who is representing Haines alongside fellow public defender Vicki Frazier, indicates Haines would not deny her actions but would argue that they were justified.

Larrivee previously filed motions requesting counsel and other parties be barred from making any comments about the case to the media and barring prosecutors from interviewing Haines unless one of her attorneys is present.

Both motions were granted earlier this week.

If convicted of deliberate homicide, Haines faces between 10 and 100 years or life in the Montana State Women’s Prison, while she faces between two and 40 years in the women’s prison and a fine of up to $50,000 if convicted of mitigated deliberate homicide.

Because Haines is accused of using a weapon, her sentence could be enhanced by an additional two to 10 years.

She is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where her bond is set at $500,000. Larrivee said Thursday that her attorneys would try to have that amount reduced.

Haines’ next hearing is set for May 7.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.