Md. Man Gets 35 Years In Son's Attempted Murder

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) -- An 80-year-old Montgomery County man has been sentenced to 35 years for the attempted murder of his estranged son.

The State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County says James Russell Lewis was sentenced Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Lewis attempted to shoot his estranged son, 45-year-old Russell Lewis of Silver Spring, in 2011 because of a dispute over land inheritance. The younger Lewis told police that he awoke in his home to find his father standing over him with a handgun. The elder Lewis then began shooting.

Another family member told authorities that the elder Lewis was upset that his son was given a house and land in a recent will settlement.

A telephone message left Tuesday afternoon for Ronald Gottlieb, who is listed as James Russell Lewis' lawyer, was not immediately returned.

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