Lozeau hearing delayed
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POLSON – Possible sentencing was delayed last week for a man accused of shooting his brother and leading authorities on a two-day manhunt in the Mission Mountains in June 2014.
Harry Lozeau, 54, was absent from the courtroom on March 25, and Lake County District Judge James Manley said that a medical emergency in Helena had prompted a delay in the hearing and that it had been rescheduled for April 1.
At his next hearing, Lozeau is expected to tell the court whether he will accept the 40-year sentence proposed by Manley after a plea deal. Under the arrangement, Lozeau will be ineligible for parole for 20 years.
Lozeau’s attorney told Manley that Lozeau’s first reaction was to reject the proposal and continue to trial, but that Lozeau would mull the decision.
Lozeau allegedly shot and killed his brother, Terry Lozeau, 51, in Ronan after an alcohol-fueled argument over a pick-up truck. A long history of alcohol-fueled crimes weighed in on Manley’s proposed sentence.
“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.”
Manley pointed out that 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.
