Trial scheduled in PL murder case

SANDPOINT — Accused murderer Keith Allen Brown has been appointed new defense counsel and is scheduled to be tried in 1st District Court this fall.

His nine-day trial on charges of first-degree murder and grand theft by possession of stolen property is set to start on Sept. 8.

Daniel Sheckler of the Sandpoint firm of Powell & Reed is his attorney.

Last month, a district judge allowed Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson to withdraw from the case. Robertson cited a communication breakdown with her client, although Brown argued he was receiving ineffective defense counsel.

Judge Fred Gibler ruled last month that he was not convinced Brown was receiving ineffective assistance, but agreed there was a communication breakdown between the defendant and his public defender.

Brown, 48, is accused of shooting Leslie Carlton Breaw to death at Priest Lake in January 2007. Breaw's remains were discovered within walking distance of his Coolin home several months later. Brown and his wife, Tyrah, were arrested in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., when Breaw's body was discovered by an Idaho Department of Lands forester.

Breaw, also 48, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to court documents. The couple is accused of taking a $56,000 escrow check belonging to Breaw, although both defendants have steadfastly rejected the theft allegation.

Keith Brown has argued Breaw opened fire on him when an argument erupted while the two were target shooting in the woods. Brown maintains Breaw was shot in a struggle over a .22-caliber rifle.

Tyrah Brown, 27, pleaded guilty last month to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and grand theft in a plea deal which is pending before the court. She is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced later this month.