Opinion ID: 1808271
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: second degree murder convictionslife sentence imposed.

Text: State v. Deckard, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 87, Page 382. Date of Sentence: April 25, 1974. Defendant maintains that he was with a friend who took him over to the victim's house. The friend and the victim were having an argument over money and drugs, and defendant pulled out his gun and ordered the victim to stop fighting. The victim bumped into the gun, and it discharged accidentally. Death was caused by a bullet wound to the temple. State v. Goldsberry, no written opinion. Lancaster County District Court, Docket 39, Page 219. Date of Sentence: October 7, 1974. The defendant was 18 years old at the time of the crime. On the morning of November 11, 1973, he observed the victim walking by his home on her way to school. He misrepresented to her that he had mail in his home belonging to her. Once she entered the house, she realized he was attempting to hold her there, and sought to leave. He did not let her go, and she began to scream. Defendant pushed her back as the victim resisted. He then used both hands to choke her. She fell to the ground and was rendered unconscious shortly thereafter. He described her face as being blue and her mouth as foamy. Defendant wrapped the body in a blanket and put a green trash bag over the body. He then placed the body in a station wagon and took it to a pasture near Table Rock, Nebraska. There, the body was undressed and the clothes put in the trash bag. He returned home and threw away the clothes, along with her purse and book. The body apparently was ravaged by coyotes, and the skull was found several months later. The bones of the body were scattered throughout a pasture, apparently by the coyotes.  State v. Laravie, 192 Neb. 625, 223 N.W.2d 435 (1974). Date of Sentence: December 20, 1974. The defendant, though only 15 years of age, was married with a child. He had been drinking all day with friends and decided to use a public phone to call his wife. He changed his mind and decided to use a phone in a home. After walking several blocks he went into a home and began looking around to see if there was anything he could steal. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen for protection in case someone was home. The victim, a 2½-year-old boy, woke up and made a noise. Defendant tried to cover the victim's mouth with his hand and finally stabbed him twice in the chest to prevent him from getting out of bed. State v. Taylor, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 91, Page 592. Date of Sentence: June 16, 1975. Defendant picked up a hitchhiker at 31st and Dodge Streets in Omaha, Nebraska. After arriving at the victim's home, defendant removed a sawed-off rifle from his waistband in his coat, took the safety off, and placed it against the victim's left temple area and pulled the trigger just as the victim was about to leave the car. Defendant drove around for a while with the body in the car. He then stopped, pushed the body out of the car, searched all the pockets, to make it look like a robbery, and shot the victim one more time in the back of the head. State v. Braasch, no written opinion. Adams County District Court, Docket 61, Page 285. Date of Sentence: August 15, 1975. The victim in this case was the defendant's supervisor in Hastings, Nebraska. Defendant had worked for the company for the past 6½ years and received much of his early education and training from the victim. The defendant had hard feelings towards the victim for several years because the defendant felt he was not getting credit for the work he did. State v. Walker, 197 Neb. 314, 248 N.W.2d 759 (1976). Date of Sentence: March 24, 1976. Defendant and his wife, the victim, were separated. Defendant intercepted her as she was leaving her place of employment in an automobile operated by her brother. Apparently, a fight developed between defendant and his brother-in-law, during which time a gun of the defendant's discharged, striking and killing the victim. Defendant maintained that he was not aware that the victim had been shot until the next morning, when he turned himself in to authorities. State v. Hoppes, 202 Neb. 383, 275 N.W.2d 608 (1979). Date of Sentence: June 3, 1976. Defendant's wife had recently moved out after an extended period of quarreling with defendant. On the evening of the murder the defendant consumed a bottle of wine and then purchased a second bottle, which he took to his wife. She accepted the bottle and let him into her residence. The two began to argue about getting back together, and a verbal argument turned into a physical battle. Defendant claims that he swung at his wife, aiming for her face, but missed and hit her in the neck. He states that she flew backwards and hit the wall, fell, and eventually died. Defendant maintains that he attempted to call for an ambulance, but when he discovered the phone was not working, he placed his wife's body in his van and went home. The next day, after driving for some time, he decided to dispose of the body. He cut a hole in some ice, tied a wheel to the body with a log chain, and dumped the body into the lake. The autopsy disclosed that the wife died of strangulation and not by reason of a blow to the neck. State v. Cole, no written opinion. Otoe County District Court, Docket 27, Page 68. Date of Sentence: August 3, 1976. The defendant entered the home of the victim and fatally stabbed her with a hunting knife. He also stabbed the victim's 11-year-old daughter. There was evidence that after stabbing the victim the defendant sexually assaulted her. She was stabbed once in the throat and twice in the chest. It was the wounds to the chest which caused her death. The defendant then carried the victim's body over his shoulder to the rear door, where he dropped it and left. State v. Robinson, 198 Neb. 785, 255 N.W.2d 835 (1977). Date of Sentence: August 27, 1976. The defendant and the victim were close friends. On the day of the murder the defendant took the victim, his girlfriend, and her children from Omaha to Lincoln in his automobile. The defendant had a $50-per-day heroin habit, which he supported by stealing checks out of mailboxes. Later in the evening, the victim requested the defendant to return him, his girlfriend, and her children to Omaha. The defendant refused to do so, though, on several occasions, he promised he would. The two ultimately got into a fight, and the victim approached the defendant. Defendant warned the victim to get back, then pulled the gun out and shot the victim in the head. State v. Scott, no written opinion. Cass County District Court, No. C-7 52. Date of Sentence: September 7, 1976. Defendant was living with his girlfriend. The victim was also a friend of theirs, who was romantically inclined toward the defendant's girlfriend. On the night of the incident the defendant had a gun and had consumed much alcohol. The girlfriend and her children were staying in the victim's trailer. Defendant suspected she was there, and he wanted to get her and bring her home. He went to the door, and the victim answered. The victim shoved the defendant away and said the girlfriend would come home when the victim brought her home. The victim returned to bed and told the girlfriend that he was not going to let the defendant in at that time of the night. The girlfriend got up and was going out to talk to the defendant, when she heard a shot. She walked out of the bedroom into the hallway to find the defendant, who had sneaked into the trailer without anyone's knowledge and who then shot the victim. State v. Thompson, 199 Neb. 67, 255 N.W.2d 880 (1977). Date of Sentence: December 10, 1976. Defendant went to a party at his sister's home. During the evening, an argument developed and a fight broke out. One of the guests threatened the defendant, saying he would kill the defendant the next time he saw him. The next day, the defendant, after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, purchased a rifle and ammunition. He then went over to his sister's house to talk to her about what had happened the night before. He walked in with a loaded gun and pointed it at her and several other persons. The victim, a longtime friend of the defendant, was in the house. The victim pushed or knocked defendant against the wall in an effort to disarm him. There was a brief conversation between the two, and, as the victim began to walk away, defendant shot him. The bullet entered in the chest near the right shoulder. State v. Bogan, no written opinion. Lancaster County District Court, Docket 47, Page 7. Date of Sentence: March 11, 1977. The defendant was in the lounge of a hotel, drinking with friends. The victim, a friend of the bartender, was advised that the defendant owed the bar some money. The victim confronted the defendant about it, and the defendant became angry, pulled out his gun, and shot the victim in the head. A witness to the shooting stated that the victim did not strike the defendant and was unarmed.  State v. Womack, no written opinion. Keith County District Court, No. 6860. Date of Sentence: December 16, 1977. The defendant and two codefendants were on their way to Montana to live in the mountains. They had stolen guns in Texas and were involved in a series of robberies along the way. They pulled off at a truckstop, with plans to rob a trucker. One of the codefendants knocked on the driver's door, and the victim, who was sleeping inside the truck, raised up from the sleeper. The defendant shot once through the windshield and once through the driver's window. The defendant was approximately 10 feet away. They then took the victim's billfold and a CB radio.  State v. Fort, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 100, Page 423. Date of Sentence: January 12, 1978. The account of the murder comes from the defendant. He maintains that he met the victim approximately 10 days before the homicide. On the night in question they drove to Carter Lake, Iowa, for the purpose of smoking marijuana. While at the lake, defendant maintains, the victim suggested that they engage in homosexual activity. The defendant refused, but the victim continued to make advances. At that point the defendant removed a pistol he carried in a shoulder holster and shot the victim three times in the head. He then disposed of the body by burying it in a shallow grave near Glenwood, Missouri, and stole the victim's credit cards, which he then proceeded to use. State v. Price, 202 Neb. 308, 275 N.W.2d 82 (1979). Date of Sentence: March 20, 1978. The victim, an infant, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. She had sustained numerous injuries about her body, and the only fresh wound was a large bump on the back of her head, along with some blood coming from her left ear. The defendant, who was living with the child's mother, was the only one with the baby at the time she allegedly fell down the stairs. State v. Sell, 202 Neb. 840, 277 N.W.2d 256 (1979). Date of Sentence: May 26, 1978. Defendant admitted that he first hit the victim and then took her out to the country, where he killed her. He inflicted two deep puncture wounds, one in the neck and one in the right side of the chest. There were also 15 to 20 small cuts around the neck and many bruises in the vaginal area. State v. Barnett, 204 Neb. 655, 284 N.W.2d 573 (1979). Date of Sentence: February 13, 1979. The defendant had been married to the victim for about 2½ years. During the course of this marriage, the defendant discovered that his wife had worked as a prostitute. On the evening before the murder the defendant and his wife had consumed large amounts of beer. In the late evening and early morning, they began to argue about various things, ranging from the defendant's past involvement in the military to the fact that he did not have a job. The defendant attempted to vent his anger by throwing a flowerpot. The next thing the defendant could recall was standing by a window with a gun in his hand. He had shot his wife 15 times with his .22-caliber rifle, which held 15 rounds. He attempted to revive her, but he could not because she was obviously dead. He called 911 and informed them that he had shot his wife. State v. Myers, 205 Neb. 867, 290 N.W.2d 660 (1980). Date of Sentence: June 5, 1979. The defendant killed his father by shooting him in the head while in their home. Defendant maintained that he shot his father because his father was an alcoholic.  State v. Thornton, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 105, Page 265. Date of Sentence: February 1, 1980. This is apparently a companion case to State v. Thornton, Douglas County District Court, Docket 105, Page 263. The first case involved a life sentence for felony murder, while this one was a life sentence for second degree murder. State v. Wredt, 208 Neb. 184, 302 N.W.2d 701 (1981). Date of Sentence: May 28, 1980. The defendant, along with his stepmother, planned to kill his father. The defendant had discussed with his stepmother who would get the insurance money and the personal property of the deceased. The plan was to make the shooting look like an accident. The defendant took his father's.45-caliber revolver and waited for him to come home. When the victim arrived, the defendant shot him once, causing the victim's death. State v. Branch, 209 Neb. 279, 307 N.W.2d 512 (1981). Date of Sentence: June 27, 1980. The defendant and the victim had lived together for 3 years. They were arguing about credit cards and had a fight. The victim was going to hit the defendant with her shoe while the defendant was lying on the bed. Defendant reached up and grabbed her by the neck with his hand to hold her off. He held her against the wall and she choked to death. m State v. Moore, 209 Neb. 88, 306 N.W.2d 183 (1981). Date of Sentence: August 15, 1980. Defendant was a codefendant in the case of State v. Moore, 210 Neb. 457, 316 N.W.2d 33 (1982), and participated in the robbery and murder of an Omaha cabdriver. Defendant was 14 years old at the time. State v. Hardin, 212 Neb. 774, 326 N.W.2d 38 (1982). Date of Sentence: June 5, 1981. Defendant and victim were husband and wife and had been separated for several months. On the evening in question defendant went to his wife's home, ostensibly to obtain some clothing which was stored there. The parties had an argument. The defendant walked back to where his car was parked, got in, and drove the car through the house, aiming at what would be the victim's bedroom. The defendant then emerged from the car, uninjured, withdrew his weapon, and fired five times. His wife later died from four bullet wounds received from the shooting.  State v. Randall, no written opinion. Saunders County District Court, No. 1845. Date of Sentence: December 10, 1981. The defendant and two friends were hitchhiking. They obtained a ride from the victim. They later went into a bar with the victim, where they drank. They next went to the home of a friend of the victim. At the end of the night the victim was giving the three a ride home when one of them asked him to pull over so he could relieve himself. This was part of a scheme to rob the victim. The victim stopped the car and literally fell out of the car because he was so intoxicated. One of the three punched him and kicked him until the victim was unconscious. His unconscious body was then put in the trunk of the car. Defendant drove and dropped one of the others off. The defendant and the remaining friend then proceeded to a place west of the Elkhorn River. They got out and heard the victim pounding on the trunk. The defendant hit him with his fists and then struck him over the head with a metal bar. They then robbed him, took his clothes, and threw him over the edge into a ditch creek. The victim was found dead either of asphyxia from drowning or of massive head injuries.  State v. Davis, no written opinion. Saunders County District Court, No. 1846. Date of Sentence: December 10, 1981. This is a companion case to State v. Randall, and the facts are identical. John Davis was the other party involved in the murder. State v. Isherwood, 213 Neb. 592, 330 N.W.2d 495 (1983). Date of Sentence: April 23, 1982. The defendant, then age 18, was living with a man and his 4-year-old son. Defendant was in charge of caring for the 4-year-old while the father was away at work. On the day in question she had given the child a shower and dressed him in pajamas for an afternoon nap. When the defendant later checked on the boy, he was playing with the window air-conditioner instead of sleeping. Defendant spanked the boy five or six times, whereupon the boy told her he hated her and his father. Defendant proceeded to beat the boy brutally, and then strangled him with either her hands or a television cord, or both. State v. Hunt, 214 Neb. 214, 333 N.W.2d 405 (1983). Date of Sentence: August 16, 1982. On March 23, 1982, the defendant flew to Kansas City, Missouri, where he planned to steal an automobile and drive it to a chop shop in Waukegan, Illinois, where he intended to sell it for $10,000. Upon arriving in Kansas City the defendant, over the next several days, staked out cars. On the 25th of March he abducted a cabdriver at knife-point from the Kansas City airport. The defendant ordered the cabdriver to pick up a hitchhiker, and the three of them proceeded on I-29, eventually ending up near Nebraska City, Nebraska. Defendant then stabbed the cabdriver in the back. The cabdriver fell down an embankment and began running across a creekbed. The defendant chased him, and they engaged in a struggle for the knife. The defendant then proceeded to stab the cabdriver 14 more times and slashed his throat 5 times. During all of this time, the cabdriver pleaded for his life. State v. Clark, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 114, Page 465. Date of Sentence: September 16, 1983. The defendant and his brother, a codefendant, were entering a local bar. The brother noticed keys in the ignition of a truck. The brother got into the truck and began backing the truck out, when he hit another vehicle. The brother then left the scene. The victim, a part owner of the truck, learned that defendant's brother was responsible for the damage. The owner of the truck then went to the Clark home to discuss the matter. As the owner was about to leave, he attempted to shake hands with the brother, who responded by beating and kicking the owner of the vehicle. The defendant then joined in. The victim was apparently beaten into unconsciousness and his body placed in a trash dumpster, where he died of injuries sustained from the beating. State v. Clark, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 114, Page 464. Date of Sentence: September 16, 1983. The facts of this companion case are identical to the facts in the preceding case of State v. Clark. State v. Crawford, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 114, Page 837. Date of Sentence: January 6, 1984. The defendant and the victim had had a number of altercations because the victim had sexually assaulted the defendant's 17-year-old sister. On the day of the murder both the defendant and the victim were at a large, annual gathering at Carter Lake, Iowa. There were between 4,000 and 7,000 at the park. The occasion was the Fourth of July. The defendant and the victim had a chance encounter. The two had some words, and the defendant pulled his gun out and shot the victim once in the chest and once in the leg. The victim died of the wounds.  State v. Honeycutt, no written opinion. Otoe County District Court, Docket 31, Page 153. Date of Sentence: April 24, 1984. Although the defendant pleaded guilty to second degree murder, he refused to give any statement concerning how the murder occurred. Further investigation disclosed, however, that the defendant and the victim were friends. Apparently, the defendant needed money and beat the victim to death by hitting him a number of times in the face with a brick. When apprehended, the defendant was in possession of the victim's car and television. The body of the victim was beaten beyond recognition. State v. Harrington, no written opinion. Lancaster County District Court, Docket 65, Page 170. Date of Sentence: August 10, 1984. The defendant and the victim were in a car driven by a friend of the defendant. The car was pulled over to the side of the road, and the defendant and the victim got out of the car. The driver observed the defendant hit the victim with a baseball bat and saw blood splatter on the windows of the car. Defendant returned to the car with bloodstains on his person. He then pushed the body down the hill toward a creek. State v. Rolenc, no written opinion. Lancaster County District Court, Docket 64, Page 263. Date of Sentence: January 9, 1985. The defendant and his former wife, the victim, were involved in a dispute about the provisions in the decree of dissolution of their marriage. The defendant met with Robin Burchett and arranged to have him kill his former wife. The day of the murder, the defendant took his former wife to breakfast at a truckstop. There, the couple met Burchett and Wayne Haselhuhn, who was unknown to either defendant or the victim. Defendant and the victim drove to the country in a car followed by the killers, who were in a second car. At a particular point the car stopped and one of the killers transferred into the back seat of the defendant's car behind the victim. He slipped a belt around her neck and choked her to death. The defendant then removed the victim's ring and took her purse. The two killers put her body in the trunk of their car, drove to a creek, and, after attaching three large pieces of concrete to the body, allowed it to sink into the water. State v. Moss, no written opinion. Hall County District Court, Docket 32, Page 37. Date of Sentence: March 13, 1985. The defendant, a 67-year-old man, shot and killed his grown son. He and his son had been having a disagreement for some time over a number of matters, including a matter involving defendant's wife, not the victim's mother. The defendant fired four shots into his son's head as his son lay sleeping in a trailer. State v. Eggers, 220 Neb. 862, 374 N.W.2d 36 (1985). Date of Sentence: December 21, 1985. Defendant severely beat a minor child of his girlfriend, causing her death. He attempted to revive her and could not. When he realized she was dead, he panicked and attempted to make the death look like an accident by placing the body in a bathtub and then calling 911.  State v. Suffredini, 224 Neb. 220, 397 N.W.2d 51 (1986). Date of Sentence: June 30, 1986. The defendant robbed and murdered a man outside the door of the men's restroom at the rest area along Interstate 80 in Lincoln County, Nebraska. The victim was shot five times with a .22-caliber pistol. Between $180 and $240 was taken from him by the defendant.