Today, March 17th, Judge Michael Canaday sentenced James Sanford Snider, 62, Lake Charles, to life in prison at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence on one (1) count Second Degree Murder; and twenty (20) years in prison at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence on one (1) count Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On September 24, 2020, Snider shot and killed the victim in the chest. Due to Snider being previously convicted of Manslaughter he cannot be in possession of a firearm. Video of the crime clearly showed Snider in possession of a firearm and killing the victim.
Assistant District Attorneys Bobby Holmes and Christopher Guelzow prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.