UPDATED Tuesday, April 24, 2012 --- 1:37 p.m.

CHILTON, Wis. (AP) -- A man accused of helping beat another man to death at a Calumet County farm has pleaded no contest in a deal with prosecutors.

Thirty-year-old Robert Saurbeir of Manitowoc and 35-year-old James Loewe of Hilbert both faced charges of being a party to first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the March 2011 death of Joseph Baer. Prosecutors say they beat Baer at a Rantoul residence with a hammer, pipe, stick and chain.

Calumet County District Attorney Jerilyn M. Dietz says Saurbeir pleaded no contest on Monday to a reduced charge of first-degree reckless homicide.

Dietz says Loewe had agreed to testify against Saurbier at trial. He is scheduled to enter a plea next month.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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POSTED: Friday, January 27, 2012 --- 9:20 a.m.

CHILTON, Wis. (AP) -- One of two defendants charged with fatally beating a man at a farm in Calumet County has changed his plea.

Robert Saurbeir changed the plea to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect at a court appearance Thursday. Prosecutors say Saurbeir and James Loewe killed Joseph Baer at a Rantoul residence in March 2011. Authorities say Baer was beaten with a hammer, pipe, stick and chain.

Saurbeir is scheduled to stand trial April 30. WLUK-TV says a plea agreement apparently has been reached for Loewe, who's expected to enter a plea Feb. 21.

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Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

AP-WF-01-27-12 1504GMT