LONG LAKE — A Long Lake man has been indicted on several murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing his brother following a verbal altercation last December.

A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Patrick B. Skerrett, 66, this spring on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, all felonies, and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.

A jury trial is scheduled to start Oct. 21.

Skerrett was arraigned in May before Hamilton County Court Judge Michael Smrtic.

Hamilton County District Attorney Marsha Purdue, who is prosecuting this case, said the first-degree murder charge was made on the basis of alleged torture and that the first-degree manslaughter charge was made on the basis of alleged intent to cause serious physical injury

At around 2:40 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2023, New York State Police responded to a residence on Deerland Road in Long Lake for a report of a male deceased from gunshot wounds.

Terrance J. Skerrett, 64, of Lewis, was found dead.

Terrance’s cause of death was determined to be shotgun and gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen in an autopsy done by pathologist Michael Sikirica, who ruled his death a homicide.

Purdue said there is more information on the case, including a motive, but she declined to share that until after the trial for legal reasons and for the family.

She said Terrance’s children are dealing with their father being killed by their uncle. The case is “heartbreaking,” she said.

Defense Attorney Robert Abdella, who is representing Patrick Skerrett was not able to be reached for comment by deadline.