JEFFERSON COUNTY — The attorney for a 37-year-old Mt. Vernon man charged with shooting his brother to death last year confirmed Tuesday that they will argue self-defense at the trial scheduled to begin next week.

Both defense and prosecution in the case against Matthew Sloan confirmed they’re prepared to go to trial next week, with jury selection scheduled to begin Tuesday morning.

Sloan is facing three counts first-degree murder for the July 4th 2018 shooting death of his brother David Sloan after the two argued following a night of drinking at David’s rural Mt. Vernon home.

At approximately 5:46 p.m. on the day of the shooting, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a woman indicating her husband, later identified as 34-year-old David Sloan, of Mount Vernon, had been shot by his brother, Matthew Sloan, of rural Mount Vernon.

Matthew Sloan was arrested at the scene and taken to the Jefferson County Jail where he’s remained since with bail set at $3 million.

Within a month of Sloan’s arrest, the court ordered a mental fitness evaluation of the defendant, and Sloan was ultimately found fit to stand trial.

Each count first-degree murder is punishable by between 20 and 60 years in prison, or 45 years to life due to the use of a firearm.