A woman who shot and killed her boyfriend on Valentine’s Day was sentenced Wednesday in Flathead District Court to 40 years in state custody.

Pamela Ruth Haines, 56, pleaded guilty to mitigated deliberate homicide for the murder of 71-year-old Thomas Edwards. A mental health evaluation deemed Haines was “unable to conform her conduct to the law,” meaning she’ll be under the direction of the Department of Public Health and Human Services and remanded to the Montana State Hospital instead of the Department of Corrections. 

Haines called 911 on Feb. 14, 2014, and told dispatchers she had shot her boyfriend. When police arrived at the Hungry Horse residence on First Avenue North, they found Edwards lying on the ground with a single small-caliber gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Haines was arrested and later admitted to shooting Edwards. 

Dozens of teary-eyed members of Edwards’ family and friends attended the hearing. His ex-wife, daughter, son and grandson each took a turn on the stand, speaking about the father, grandfather and husband they lost — and telling Haines directly what she took from them. 

Afterward, Edwards’ daughter, Jennifer Anderson, said that although it did help to be able to convey her thoughts directly to Haines, she added: “There’s never going to be closure for us.” 

Edwards’ son Tommy, who also took the stand, said he “didn’t realize how angry he was” at Haines. 

Tommy and Jennifer said they were thankful Judge Heidi Ulbricht imposed the full 40-year sentence on Haines, but expressed concern about parole. 

“It’s very disturbing that she could be paroled,” Anderson said. “We’re just thankful that the judge came through with that sentence.” 

A statement prepared by the family said that Edwards, or “Pops,” was a family man who had moved to Flathead County from California to spend his retirement close to his daughter, son and grandchildren. He was excited to spend time with his grandchildren, fly fish, and sing and play music with his family. 

“He was only here five months when she took him from us,” Tommy Edwards said. 

Reporter Brittany Brevik may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at [email protected].