The attorney representing a Salem man accused of murder in Lisbon has filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity..

The written plea was filed Thursday by attorney Louis DeFabio on behalf of 31-year-old Michael Blower who was indicted last week on charges of aggravated murder and murder, in connection with the March 3 shooting death of 40-year-old Rusty Steele along West Spruce Street in Lisbon.

Both charges also include gun specifications which could yield more prison time if Blower is convicted.

A May 15th pretrial is scheduled for Blower, who has been held in the county jail on a $1.5 million bond since his arrest on March 22.

According to an affidavit, Blower and Steele had been on the phone arguing with each other prior to the shooting.

Investigators say Blower got a ride to Lisbon and admitted to police that's where he shot Steele in the chest.

Blower's wife gave police the gun her husband allegedly used to commit the crime.

Police Chief Mike Abraham told 21 News Blower and Steele had a relationship with the same woman at different times.

Chief Abraham said Blower is married to a woman who had children with Steele.

Also charged in connection with the crime is 42-year-old Christopher Mills of Washingtonville.

Mills is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on one count of obstructing justice.

A grand jury indicted Mills after investigators say he drove Blower to and from the murder scene, failed to notify police of the murder, and allegedly lied to police about certain aspects of the case.