By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

UNION TWP. - A 42-year-old Loveland man will spend at least the next 18 years in prison, following sentencing Tuesday in Clermont County common pleas court.

Mark A. Albert, 42, shot and killed Larry Colwell, 40, of Union Township. Initially charged with aggravated murder, Albert pleaded guilty earlier this month to a reduced charge of murder.

On Aug. 2, Albert shot Colwell in the back of the head in front of witnesses as the two stood on the grounds of the Hamilton County Anglers Club on Tealtown Road.

Albert, according to court records, then gave the gun to another man, but took it back and threw it into a lake on the club's property. He fled and was arrested a short time later.

Despite repeated searches, authorities never located the gun.

Albert initially told investigators he blamed Colwell for the break-up of his marriage and did not regret his actions.

But since that time, Albert has said he was too intoxicated to remember much. Family members have said Albert's initial statements were untrue.

Besides murder, Albert was convicted of a gun specification that added three years to his sentence.

Appearing Tuesday before Judge William Walker, he was ordered to serve the maximum 18 years to life in prison. He'll have to serve at least 18 years before he is eligible for parole, officials said.

Relatives of Colwell, a father of six, who was taking care of his parents, were present for the sentencing.

Colwell's sister, Judy Gregory, said in an August interview that her brother never knew what happened. She described him as a man who loved helping his friends.

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E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com