Charlo man withdraws guilty plea in brother’s death

POLSON (AP) – A Charlo man has withdrawn his guilty plea in his brother’s shooting death after the judge rejected a plea agreement under which he could serve as little as 10 years in prison.

KERR-AM in Polson reports 53-year-old Harry Lozeau withdrew his guilty plea to deliberate homicide on Tuesday. District Judge James Manley set a Sept. 14 trial date.

Prosecutors say Lozeau shot 51-year-old Terry Lozeau in the head with a rifle in front of two witnesses after a June 2014 argument over pickup repairs.

He pleaded guilty in January as part of an agreement that recommended a 40-year prison term. Under state law, people are eligible for parole after serving 25 percent of their sentences. Manley said he wanted Lozeau to serve at least 20 years.