BIGFORK — A Flathead County judge sentenced Derrick Jackson to 100 years in Montana State Prison on Tuesday for the 2022 shooting death of Stanley Grotberg in Bigfork.
Judge Amy Eddy handed down the sentence, which includes 80 years for deliberate homicide with no time suspended.
"Count 2, deliberate homicide. The defendant is sentenced to the Montana State Prison for a period of 80 years with no time suspended," Judge Eddy said.
Watch the sentencing of Derrick Jackson for a 2022 fatal shooting in Bigfork:
Jackson was found guilty in April of killing Grotberg but was acquitted in the death of his mother, Tricia Demotts.
Both Grotberg and Demotts were found dead in their Bigfork home following a violent dispute in October 2022.
Eric Grotberg, Stanley Grotberg's son, delivered an emotional victim impact statement before the sentencing.
"I believe because of the impact it had on our lives and it will be for the rest of our lives. He should receive the maximum sentence," Eric Grotberg said.
John Jackson, Derrick Jackson's father, testified as a character witness for his son.
"I believe 100% he did not shoot his mom, he loved his mom. There's no doubt I believe he took the gun from Stan after he shot his mom and shot Stan when he was coming after him," John Jackson said.
In addition to the homicide charge, Jackson received 10 years for tampering with evidence and another 10 years for use of a firearm.
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ORGINAL STORY
The man who was found guilty in a 2022 Bigfork murder was sentenced to prison on Tuesday.
Derrick Jackson — who was found guilty in the death of Stanley Grotberg in October of 2022 — was sentenced by a judge to serve 100 years in the Montana State Prison.
Jackson was originally charged with two counts of deliberate homicide; however, a jury found him not guilty of deliberate homicide in the death of his mother Tricia Demotts, in April of 2025.
Derrick James Jackson has been charged with two counts of deliberate homicide and one count each of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
The bodies of Grotberg, 65, and Demotts, 62, were found at their home on Esteban Lane in October 2022.
- information from Derek Joseph included in this report.
Watch previous coverage: Mixed verdict for man charged with 2022 Bigfork double homicide
