Man pleads out in Wisconsin farm homicide

CHILTON, Wis. (AP) — A man accused of helping beat another man to death at a Calumet County farm has pleaded no contest in a deal with prosecutors.

Thirty-year-old Robert Saurbeir of Manitowoc and 35-year-old James Loewe of Hilbert both faced charges of being a party to first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the March 2011 death of Joseph Baer. Prosecutors say they beat Baer at a Rantoul residence with a hammer, pipe, stick and chain.

Calumet County District Attorney Jerilyn M. Dietz says Saurbeir pleaded no contest on Monday to a reduced charge of first-degree reckless homicide.

Dietz says Loewe had agreed to testify against Saurbier at trial. He is scheduled to enter a plea next month.

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