Salem man set to enter plea in Lisbon shooting death case

LISBON, Ohio - A Salem man is expected to enter a plea later this month instead of going on trial for a shooting death in Lisbon.
According to court records, a January 18 plea hearing was set Thursday for 32-year-old Michael Blower, who was indicted last April on charges of aggravated murder and murder.
Blower had been scheduled to go on trial on January 23 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.
According to an affidavit, Blower and Steele had been on the phone arguing with each other before the shooting.
Police say Blower got a ride to Lisbon and admitted 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.
A February 1 hearing is scheduled for Mills who is charged with obstructing justice, and two counts of complicity.
A grand jury indicted Mills after investigators said 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.