Judge allows defendant to withdraw plea in Warren murder case

Staff report

WARREN

Beau Palmer, 31, of Warren, who pleaded guilty in January to several charges associated with the killing of James Levels one year ago, was allowed to withdraw the plea this week by Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

His case will now proceed to trial, with his next hearing scheduled for May 14.

Palmer pleaded guilty to complicity to involuntary manslaughter, complicity to aggravated burglary and complicity to aggravated robbery. His plea agreement called for him to get 15 years in prison.

One of three co-defendants, Michael Settle, 26, of Sherman Avenue in Niles, will go on trial Monday before Judge Peter Kontos.

Settle is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.