Port Angeles man sentenced in death of his bedridden father

PORT ANGELES — A 51-year-old man whose father was found covered in his own urine and feces while in his son’s care will serve 41 months in prison for the elderly man’s death.

James P. Koch of Port Angeles was sentenced Tuesday in Clallam County Superior Court after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter.

His father, Lloyd Koch, died in 2007 due to neglect while in his care. He was 86.

Police said they found maggots on him when they arrived at his home in response to an anonymous complaint. James Koch had been his father’s caretaker since 1996.

Lloyd Koch also suffered from extensive sores, had urine-soaked socks and was covered in up to three weeks of fecal matter.

He was transported to Olympic Medical Center, where he later died.

James Koch was initially convicted in October 2008 but received a retrial after the state Court of Appeals overturned it because the jury wasn’t given proper instructions.

James Koch told police that he knew of his father’s condition but hadn’t done anything about it due to procrastination.

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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.

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