Lake Charles man admits killing wife, gets 40 years

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A 42-year-old Lake Charles man has pleaded guilty to a lesser charged in the shooting death of his wife in 2011.

The American Press reports (https://bit.ly/1eOXZNb) Dale Winters entered his guilty plea to manslaughter Monday in state district court.

Judge Ron Ware sentenced Winters to the maximum of 40 years in prison.

Authorities say Winters shot Michelle Mitchell during an argument at a home on East Prien Lake Road on June 7, 2011.

Winters would have faced life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder, of which he was charged.

Prosecutors agreed to the amended charge so that Mitchell’s children would not have to testify.

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Information from: American Press, https://www.americanpress.com