Missoula man pleads no contest to shooting wife in shoulder

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A Missoula man has entered no contest pleas to charges that he shot his wife in the shoulder and then tried to get her to lie about what happened.

Sean A. Shriner, 42, entered his pleas Thursday to charges of attempted deliberate homicide and tampering with witnesses, the Missoulian reported.

Under such a plea, Shriner does not acknowledge guilt but accepts the punishment of a guilty plea.

Shriner shot his wife in the shoulder during an argument on July 24, 2020, prosecutors said. However, she first told police that her husband had been drinking and thought he saw someone peeking in the window of their house, causing him to fire shots.

The next day, the woman said she lied because she feared her husband would get out of jail and kill her, prosecutors said. She reported a history of domestic violence by Shriner, prosecutors said during Shriner's initial court appearance.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend Shriner be sentenced to 40 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Dec. 10.