A Placer County jury has found Eric Olsen guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of his stepson, Jimmie Wiedeman, and a judge has now ordered him to spend 53 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The sentence was handed down on Jan. 28, 2026.
According to ABC10, Olsen admitted to killing Wiedeman and acknowledged that he lied to jurors while testifying in his own defense. Jurors also found he personally used a firearm in the attack. ABC10 reports that Olsen could be considered for elder parole in roughly 20 years. In a statement to the outlet, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said, "while no sentence can undo the loss suffered, this conviction ensures accountability and represents a measure of justice for the victim and his family."
How the New Year’s Day Shooting Unfolded
The fatal shooting unfolded on Jan. 1, 2023, at a home on the 1100 block of Fox Lane in unincorporated Lincoln, where deputies found 44-year-old Wiedeman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. After months of investigation by the Placer County Sheriff's Office, Olsen was arrested in El Dorado County in December 2023, as reported by KCRA.
Violent History Tied to the Lincoln Property
During the trial, prosecutors told jurors that Olsen had a documented history of violent activity connected to the same Lincoln property. That history included his earlier involvement in a 2021 homicide investigation in neighboring Yuba County. Details of that prior case, including the arrests of Eric and his brother Carl, were outlined in Yuba County Sheriff's Office releases reported by YubaNet.
What Investigators Say Comes Next
With sentencing now complete, investigators say they intend to keep pursuing any outstanding leads tied to the Jan. 1, 2023, killing. The multi-agency investigation, which included support from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, helped move the case from the initial call to an arrest and ultimately to trial, according to local coverage. CBS Sacramento noted that authorities publicly thanked partner agencies for their work on the case.
