WARREN — A Warren man pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated burglary in the July 10 shooting death of Kardell Lowery, while his co-defendant rejected a plea deal and will proceed to trial.

Michael Williamson, 29, entered his plea before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison.

The sentencing includes a mandatory three-year term for a firearm specification, with the remainder consisting of 10 to 15 years for manslaughter and seven years for aggravated burglary, to be served consecutively. Williamson also faces two to five years of post-release control.

Williamson, represented by attorney Brendan Keating, acknowledged his role in the fatal shooting and expressed remorse in court. A victim impact statement, read on behalf of Lowery’s family, condemned Williamson’s actions and detailed the pain caused by Lowery’s death.

Meanwhile, co-defendant Tyree Brown, 29, declined the same plea agreement offered by prosecutors, opting instead to go to trial. Brown faces charges of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary, both with firearm specifications, as well as a charge of having weapons under disability.

His trial is set to begin Feb. 18.

Prosecutors allege that Williamson and Brown forcefully entered a Hampshire House apartment in the 1300 block of Fifth Street SW on July 10.

Both men investigators say were armed and opened fire, killing Lowery. Brown, who was on probation at the time, was indicted alongside Williamson back in November.

During Monday’s proceedings, Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman noted that Brown’s defense had not filed a formal discovery request, raising concerns that an appellate court could later consider it ineffective assistance of counsel.

Brown’s attorney, Jeff Goodman, argued that the decision was strategic, maintaining that his client was prepared for trial.

Rice reminded Brown that by rejecting the plea, he now faces the possibility of a significantly harsher sentence if convicted on all counts.