Lozeau mulls possible 40-year sentence
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POLSON – A Ronan man accused of killing his brother in June 2014 spent last week mulling a 40-year sentence proposed by Lake County District Judge James Manley on March 18.
Manley said Harry Lozeau, 54, has a chance to reject the sentence and go to trial after he agreed to a plea bargain in January. Manley said he intends to place a probation and parole restriction that will prevent Harry Lozeau’s release for the first 20 years of the sentence.
Harry Lozeau allegedly shot and killed his brother Terry Lozeau, 51, in Ronan after an alcohol-fueled argument over a pick-up truck. He fled the scene and led authorities on a two-day manhunt through the Mission Mountains before he was arrested.
Sister Tina Lozeau told Manley that she had visited her brother many times in jail and had seen signs of remorse.
“We cried,” Lozeau said of the first visit. “That’s all we did. We cried.”
She said Harry Lozeau seemed “very hurt” and “devastated” in their visits.
“He cries,” she said. “The emotions … I can’t put them into words.”
Tina Lozeau said she and her family would help Harry Lozeau avoid alcohol upon his return to society.
“They forgive him,” Tina Lozeau said. “We cry together. They love Harry. You know we all hurt for our other brother as well.”
After Tina Lozeau’s testimony, Manley said he didn’t think Lozeau would be able to overcome a battle with alcoholism.
“I don’t doubt, Mr. Lozeau, that you have a good side, but it’s almost like you are two different people,” Manley said. “When you are drinking, you are different.”
He pointed out that Harry Lozeau had gotten five subsequent DUI’s after a felony negligent homicide conviction that resulted when Lozeau was drinking and driving and caused a crash that claimed the life of a pregnant woman.
“I doubt you will be able to control your alcoholism,” Manley said.
Harry Lozeau’s defense attorney Randi Hood said the initial reaction of her client was to deny the plea agreement and go to trial, but she requested a week’s time to weigh the decision.
Manley set another hearing for March 25.
