POLSON — A Lake County man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he shot and killed his wife and then tried to cover up the crime by saying she’d committed suicide.
An attorney for 32-year-old Adrian McElderry entered the not guilty plea in state District Court in Polson on Thursday.
He’s charged with deliberate homicide in the Nov. 18 death of 29-year-old RaeLynn Charlo.
Court records say McElderry called 911 on the morning Charlo died and said she had shot herself after getting upset over his drinking.
Authorities determined McElderry’s statements did not match the evidence in the case.
He faces an additional charge of tampering with or fabricating evidence.
District Judge Kim Christopher set a March 9 trial. McElderry remains in custody at the Lake County Jail.