Killer of 73-year-old in 2023 Lone Tree murder sentenced to 6 decades in prison

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The man who killed a 73-year-old man in Lone Tree last year learned on Thursday he will spend the next six decades in prison.

Now 24-year-old James Neal pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the death of Michael (Mike) Lohmeier near the Park Meadows mall last November.

"Murder one for life would have been better, but that would have involved a trial and we didn't want to do that," said Mike's sister Marilyn Lohmeier-Howland.

Lohmeier was found shot in his car along Yosemite near the Park Meadows Mall on Nov. 4, 2023. Neal was later arrested in Wyoming after a high-speed chase.

"This is a case where the defendant was on parole. He should have not been able to possess guns, not been able to have access to drugs, and he was. He stole a car and he took Mike Lohmeier's life," said Senior Deputy District Attorney Corrie Caler. "I hope in the future, for future paroles, that we really consider their dangerousness before letting them out into the community and consider how we can supervise them better."

On Thursday, Neal was sentenced to 60 years in prison, for second-degree murder, motor vehicle theft and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.

"You are very young man, and recognizing the mental health, the domestic violence that you witnessed and the substance abuse that has plagued you, I recognize that. But, this is a senseless, senseless act," said Judge Victoria Klingensmith to Neal at the sentencing.

The family told FOX31 they received justice for Lohmeier, but they may never know why this happened.

"We'll never know. It was just a random act of violence," said Marilyn Lohmeier-Howland. "I don't know if we're going to heal. I don't think I am."