A Billings man was found guilty of First Degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm after a four-day trial on Thursday, May 21. Austin Michael Stone, 25, will be sentenced on Thursday, July 9.
Stone was convicted for the murder of Joshua B. Snider, 33, of Aurora. According to the probable cause statement in the case, on March 30, 2025, witness told sheriffs with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office that he saw Stone drove up next to Snider’s vehicle at a location in Aurora, and that Snider got out of his vehicle to speak with Stone. At that point, the witness said, Stone shot Snider and drove off. Deputies arrived at the scene to find Snider dead. A second witness was interviewed and gave the deputies the same account as the first witness.
Stone was later apprehended; he refused to speak the deputies when they attempted to interview him. At time of the murder, Stone was already a convicted felon; he had pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in Newton County in June of 2023, making it illegal for him to possess or use a firearm.
Stone was originally charged in Lawrence County, but he was tried in Jasper County on a change of venue that was filed in June of 2025.
As of press time, Stone remained in custody at the Lawrence County Jail, where he has been held since March 31, 2025.
