Opinion ID: 1808271
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: second degree murder convictionsterm of years.

Text: State v. Taylor, no written opinion. Lincoln County District Court, Docket 68, Page 23. Date of Sentence: March 21, 1974. Sentence: 20 years. The defendant, who had been drinking most of the day, sold his bike to buy gun shells with the intention of committing suicide. He returned home and engaged in an argument with his wife, the victim. She had hidden his gun at a neighbor's house. They both went over and retrieved the gun. Upon returning home and discussing the fact that the victim had filed for divorce, defendant shot her and then shot himself in the mouth. The bullet passed through his upper lip and only wounded him. State v. Hampton, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 88, Page 179. Date of Sentence: April 1, 1974. Sentence: 10 to 20 years. The only evidence in the case comes from the defendant himself. According to the story he tells, he was invited into the victim's home when he asked to use the phone. Once in the house, he maintains that the victim, a female, for no apparent reason shot once at him. He charged her with a knife and stabbed her three times. After she fell he ransacked the house. State v. Bautista, 193 Neb. 476, 227 N.W.2d 835 (1975). Date of Sentence: July 23, 1974. Sentence: 20 years. Defendant and the victim's son engaged in a fight outside a bar. After the minor disturbance the defendant left the bar to take his nephew home. He then returned to the bar some 10 to 25 minutes later, carrying a rifle. He went over to the table of the victim and asked where the victim's son was, saying, Look what he did to me, and pointing to his face. He then said to the victim, How would you like it if I got you here and now? or words to that effect. The victim began to get up from his chair, and defendant shot him in the heart. State v. Barajas, 195 Neb. 502, 238 N.W.2d 913 (1976). Date of Sentence: August 13, 1975. Sentence: 25 years. The defendant and his girlfriend were at a bar when they met the victim. The victim was interested in the defendant's .22-caliber pistol, and the three went to try it out at a target practice site. At the victim's request they left the bar in defendant's car. On the way the victim made several advances toward defendant's girlfriend, putting his arms around her and brushing her leg with his hand. She told defendant, who became angry, stopped the car, and ordered the victim to get out. Outside the car, an argument ensued that developed into a fight. Defendant shot and wounded the victim, and then killed him with two shots to the left cheek. Defendant then fled to Mexico, where he was later arrested and returned for trial. State v. Shonka, no written opinion. Butler County District Court, Docket 26, Page 36. Date of Sentence: February 5, 1976. Sentence: 10 years. The defendant, a 33-year-old female, was married to the victim, age 63. On October 31, 1975, the defendant took her husband to Columbus, Nebraska, to work, and then went to a bar to drink. Later that evening, she went to Surprise, Nebraska, to continue drinking. Upon leaving the bar she pulled out a gun and waved it around. She felt she was being pushed around. She then apparently went back to her trailer home in Rising City, Nebraska, and shot her husband. While she does not recall the episode, she was found in the trailer with a gun. The body of her husband was found outside the trailer. Several witnesses stated that she said she should have shot the victim between the eyes. State v. Pigue, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 94, Page 378. Date of Sentence: July 28, 1976. Sentence: 10 years. The defendant returned home from work on February 13, 1976, and found that her husband (the victim) had left with her car. The victim did not return until February 18. He apparently also lived with another woman. There had been difficulties between them for several years. Prior to the 18th, the defendant had purchased a gun, and when the victim attempted to enter the house on that date, the defendant told him she would kill him if he came in, fearing that he would beat her up. When the victim entered the house, the defendant shot him three times. State v. Yarbrough, 199 Neb. 41, 255 N.W.2d 874 (1977). Date of Sentence: September 28, 1976. Sentence: 50 years. The defendant went to Fairbury, Nebraska, with several friends. Once in Fairbury, they stopped at the victim's residence and had her join them. The entire group then went to a beer party at a local tavern in Fairbury. At around midnight the defendant had an argument with one of the members of the group and was taken back to the victim's residence. The victim then took the defendant to a local hotel. The two of them lay down on a bed, and the defendant strangled the victim. After killing her he then had sexual intercourse with her body. The defendant fell asleep and then, when he awoke in the morning, had intercourse again with the victim's body. When he saw blood around her face, he became scared and hitchhiked back to Lincoln, Nebraska. The victim was later discovered by the hotel employees. State v. Victor, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 95, Page 308. Date of Sentence: November 15, 1976. Sentence: 20 years. The defendant and the victim were friends and next-door neighbors. Defendant maintains that he was invited into the victim's home and asked to engage in sexual intercourse with her. When he refused, she asked whether he knew where she could get some marijuana. He again replied in the negative. At this point the defendant maintains the victim grabbed his arm and he stabbed her as he was attempting to get away. State v. Denney, no written opinion. Knox County District Court, Docket 33, Page 58. Date of Sentence: April 7, 1977. Sentence: 15 years. The defendant and some friends had been drinking all day. The defendant and the victim got into a fight about Indian culture. The victim had a gun and threatened defendant. The defendant then went upstairs and got a gun, came back down, and, as the victim stood up and began to move toward the defendant, the defendant shot him once in the abdomen. State v. Johnson, 200 Neb. 760, 266 N.W.2d 193 (1978). Date of Sentence: June 30, 1977. Sentence: 20 years. The defendant and a friend spent several hours drinking beer and driving around York, Nebraska. They encountered defendant's younger sister and her friends and offered them a ride home. In the car on the way home, the defendant offered alcohol to one of the minor girls. Once home, the defendant's mother reprimanded him for offering alcohol to a juvenile. An argument followed, in which both parties slapped each other in the face. Defendant's mother reported the matter to his brother, who notified the police after hearing shots while on the phone talking to his mother. Defendant had grabbed a gun, ran outside toward a local church, and fired five shots through the living room window. Defendant's mother phoned the police after defendant was seen by her to be in the area of the church. The victim, a police officer, went to the church parking lot across the street. Shortly after he stepped out of his car, the defendant shot him once in the chest, causing his death.  State v. Brick, no written opinion. Cheyenne County District Court, No. 9179. Date of Sentence: September 20, 1977. Sentence: 40 years. This is a companion case to State v. Simpson, 200 Neb. 823, 265 N.W.2d 681 (1978), in which a life sentence for first degree murder was imposed. The defendant, her child, and her brother decided to hitchhike to California because they had no money. They got a ride with a trucker, who gave them $20. In addition, they stole a gun belonging to the trucker. The three then got another ride, this time with the victim, who offered to take them all the way to California. Along the way, the defendant and her brother determined to rob the victim and take his car. On a signal from her brother, the defendant pulled out the gun they had stolen and placed it against the victim's head. She ordered him to stop, but he resisted. She shot him in the back of the head twice, which caused the victim to be paralyzed but not dead. The defendant and her brother then pulled the body into a borrow pit off of Interstate 80 near Kimball, Nebraska. The defendant's brother shot the victim two more times, and then the two left for California. State v. Hander, no written opinion. Cedar County District Court, No. 6528. Date of Sentence: November 17, 1977. Sentence: 15 years. Defendant and his wife separated, and a mutual friend of the parties moved in with the wife. Defendant became angry and ordered him out. The two scuffled, and defendant said to the victim that if the victim did not move out he, the defendant, would kill him. Later, the defendant saw his wife with the victim and became angry. He obtained a .22-caliber rifle and followed the victim. When the victim parked his automobile and got out of the car, the defendant shot and killed him. Defendant maintained he thought the victim was going for a weapon.  State v. Forster, no written opinion. Platte County District Court, No. 2820. Date of Sentence: December 8, 1977. Sentence: 35 years. This is a companion case to State v. Roewert, Platte County District Court, No. 2805, in which a life sentence for first degree murder was imposed. The defendant and some friends were drinking at a bar in Norfolk, Nebraska, and planned to rob and kill the victim. They determined they would kill the victim so as not to be identified. The victim was lured out of the bar by inviting him to a party. They drove him out to a country road, where they took his billfold. While the victim was passed out from being intoxicated, Roewert cut his throat and then decapitated him. He then disemboweled the body, rolled it over, and cut it about the back. The defendant willingly participated in the robbery and later disposed of the wallet in a trash receptacle.  State v. Brown, 201 Neb. 536, 270 N.W.2d 318 (1978). Platte County District Court, No. 3839. Date of Sentence: December 9, 1977. Sentence: 35 years. The individual here was involved in the same case as State v. Roewert and State v. Forster.  State v. Denman, no written opinion. Keith County District Court, No. 6886. Date of Sentence: February 10, 1978. Sentence: 25 years. This is the same fact situation as is involved in State v. Womack, Keith County District Court, No. 6860, in which a life sentence for second degree murder was imposed. State v. Stofer, no written opinion. Saline County District Court, No. 1058. Date of Sentence: March 6, 1978. Sentence: 40 years. The defendant, who had been drinking, returned home, picked up a gun, and shot and killed his mother while she was in bed sleeping.  State v. Epp, no written opinion. Gage County District Court, No. J-70. Date of Sentence: June 8, 1978. Sentence: 50 years. The victim, who owned a liquor store and lived close to it, one night heard his security alarm go off. He took a shotgun and went to investigate. Defendant was there and had gone up to the door of the liquor store to rob it, but the door was locked. Defendant shot the victim once, after the victim inquired what the defendant was doing there and told defendant to leave. After the shooting the defendant drove away in his car. State v. Coleman, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 102, Page 250. Date of Sentence: July 25, 1978. Sentence: 20 years. The defendant and the victim argued over some money that the defendant owed the victim. The victim then went to a phone in the tavern where the argument took place and, when he returned, told the defendant that he had called for help. Defendant had had trouble with the individuals the victim had called, so he left. He later went over to the victim's home to talk it over. He took his nephew with him. They had a 12-gauge shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver. When the defendant confronted the victim, a second argument ensued, and, subsequently, the shotgun went off, killing the victim. State v. Marteney, 210 Neb. 172, 313 N.W.2d 449 (1981). Date of Sentence: March 23, 1979. Sentence: 12 years. The victim entered a local bar in DuBois, Nebraska, and went behind the bar to get a glass of water. Shortly after the victim entered the bar, the defendant entered, carrying a rifle. The defendant walked near to where the victim was standing and mentioned something about leaving his daughter-in-law alone. Apparently, the defendant believed that the victim was having an affair with his daughter-in-law. He then raised the rifle and shot the victim in the chest. State v. Samuels, 205 Neb. 585, 289 N.W.2d 183 (1980). Date of Sentence: April 5, 1979. Sentence: 13 years. According to the statement given by the defendant, the victim had taken money from the defendant's friend. The defendant went to see the victim, and the victim pulled a gun on the defendant. Defendant was alongside the victim's car when he shot the victim three times, and then ran from the scene because he was scared. State v. Morris, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 106, Page 203. Date of Sentence: January 9, 1980. Sentence: 20 years. The defendant, who had been drinking heavily and who had just lost his job of 22 years as a baker, shot and killed his second wife, who had filed for divorce. State v. Paulson, 211 Neb. 711, 320 N.W.2d 115 (1982). Date of Sentence: June 3, 1980. Sentence: 15 years. The defendant and several others were members of a social family. A codefendant was told that if he wanted to get in good with the family he would have to kill the victim, another member of the family, or he would be killed. Defendant was apparently one of the organizers of the plan. On the night of the murder a party was held at the home of one of the family members. Upon signal the codefendant shot the victim. The body was thrown into a creekbed in Iowa, where it was found a week later. State v. Stranghoener, 208 Neb. 598, 304 N.W.2d 679 (1981). Date of Sentence: June 3, 1980. Sentence: 20 years. This is a companion case to State v. Paulson, 211 Neb. 711, 320 N.W.2d 115 (1982). Defendant here was a member of the family and one of the organizers of the murder. State v. Green, no written opinion. Buffalo County District Court, No. 6177. Date of Sentence: July 25, 1980. Sentence: 25 years. The defendant and his wife, the victim, were separated. After the wife filed for a divorce, the couple attempted several counseling sessions, which failed. On the day of the crime the defendant visited his wife at their home to discuss the payment of certain bills. Defendant asked to use the bathroom. He came out of the bathroom, went to the kitchen, got a drink of water at the sink, and shot his wife three times. State v. Herren, no written opinion. Scotts Bluff County District Court, No. 28207. Date of Sentence: September 26, 1980. Sentence: 35 years. The defendant, after drinking heavily and using cocaine, LSD, and barbiturates, attacked his girlfriend and stabbed her a number of times. She lived only by feigning death. Upon leaving the girlfriend's apartment defendant went to the home of an alcohol and drug detoxification program leader who had been involved in aiding the defendant. The leader was killed by reason of multiple stab wounds inflicted by the defendant, including several after death. State v. Jackson, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 107, Page 500. Date of Sentence: November 21, 1980. Sentence: 25 years. Defendant and the victim were involved in an altercation on a public street, each being in his respective automobile. The victim refused to yield the right-of-way to the defendant, and also delivered racial remarks. At a stop light the victim got out of his car and walked over to the defendant's car. The defendant got his gun from under his seat and shot the victim three times. State v. Payne, no written opinion. Dodge County District Court, Docket 71, Page 169. Date of Sentence: November 24, 1980. Sentence: 17 years. The defendant and the victim lived in the same trailer park. The victim was a drug dealer. There were apparent ill feelings between the two. The defendant took a record book of drug sales and some money from the victim's trailer and may have been returning them when the murder occurred. State v. Stocker, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 109, Page 62. Date of Sentence: February 27, 1981. Sentence: 12 years. The victim in this case was a neighbor of the defendant. He was an auto mechanic and towed junk cars to the street in front of both homes. The victim then worked on the cars, often into the late hours of the evening. Friction arose between the defendant and the victim over the cars that were left on the street. Defendant made repeated calls to the Omaha Police Department, but the situation went on unresolved. On the day in question the defendant, who had been drinking at a bar, came home to find the victim outside working on a car. It was late, so the defendant asked the victim to shut off the lights and cease working. The victim responded with vulgar language and continued working. Defendant retrieved his gun from his house and pulled the trigger twice, but there was no discharge. He injected another shell and shot the victim once from a distance of 15 to 20 feet. State v. Kemp, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 109, Page 441. Date of Sentence: September 29, 1981. Sentence: 25 years. On February 22, 1981, the Omaha Police Department received a call from defendant, at which time defendant advised the police that he had shot his girlfriend. The police were directed to the scene and found the victim shot three times in the head with a .22-caliber pistol. She died the following day. State v. Brown, 213 Neb. 68, 327 N.W.2d 107 (1982). Date of Sentence: December 14, 1981. Sentence: 25 years. Defendant maintained that he and the victim had an argument and that the victim pulled out a knife. Defendant claims that he retreated out of the building where the argument began but that the victim pressed on. Finally, the defendant said he pulled a revolver from his pocket, fired a warning shot into the ground, and when that did no good, he fired approximately five more shots into the victim. When the victim was found, the knife was beside the victim, but was closed. There was contrary evidence indicating that the victim never opened the knife. State v. Harton, no written opinion. Lancaster County District Court, Docket 59, Page 5. Date of Sentence: March 31, 1982. Sentence: 35 years. The defendant and the victim were both residents of a city mission in Lincoln, Nebraska. Defendant, after a day of drinking, returned to the mission. He remembered that he had loaned a radio to the victim and went to the victim's room to retrieve the radio. The victim maintained that he did not have the radio. The two got into a quarrel and began fighting, pulling out knives. The defendant eventually stabbed and killed the victim. State v. Rowe, 214 Neb. 685, 335 N.W.2d 309 (1983). Date of Sentence: July 29, 1982. Sentence: 25 years. The defendant murdered his wife. The body was discovered by firefighters who were called to the scene by neighbors who reported a fire at the defendant's residence. The body was found partially burned and wrapped in blankets in one of the second floor bedrooms. The autopsy report revealed that one of the victim's breasts had been removed and that there was an incision in the trunk of the victim extending from below the breastbone to the pubic area and into the vagina and the rectum. The victim also had suffered a depressed skull fracture and broken ribs. State v. Rife, 215 Neb. 132, 337 N.W.2d 724 (1983). Date of Sentence: August 19, 1982. Sentence: 30 years. The defendant and victim were coworkers at a motel. Defendant entered the victim's apartment and asked if she wanted to mess around. The victim started playing with the buttons on defendant's shirt, and when defendant started to unbutton victim's blouse, she said, No, I don't want to. Defendant took a pottery vase and hit her about the head and face three or four times. He then struck her once with a mug. He went to the kitchen for a butcher knife and cut her throat. State v. Rush, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 114, Page 115. Date of Sentence: February 16, 1983. Sentence: 15 years. Defendant shot and killed his wife during a fight over an alarm clock. State v. Klinginsmith, no written opinion. Hall County District Court, Docket 31, Page 201. Date of Sentence: May 12, 1983. Sentence: 50 years. The defendant killed his former wife. On the night of the murder he was sitting with his children. When his former wife returned home, a struggle ensued over a gun which the defendant had in his possession. Following the struggle, his ex-wife succeeded in getting the gun away from him and informed him that she was leaving. The defendant then obtained a knife from the house and tried to get the gun back. A second struggle ensued, which culminated in the defendant's shooting his ex-wife with the handgun. State v. Jones, no written opinion. Douglas County District Court, Docket 115, Page 509. Date of Sentence: June 8, 1984. Sentence: 12 years. The defendant killed the victim, who was dating his former girlfriend. The killing was accomplished with a knife. State v. Voskamp, no written opinion. Saunders County District Court, Docket 7, Page 231. Date of Sentence: July 30, 1984. Sentence: 15 years. The victim had moved in with the defendant's wife while the defendant was away driving an over-the-road truck. Upon return from his trip the defendant found the defendant's belongings in his car with a note from his wife. It told him not to return because she was seeking a divorce. The defendant took a gun and went to his wife's house. He kicked in the back door, and when the victim came running at him, the defendant shot twice, killing the victim. State v. Valerio, no written opinion. Banner County District Court, No. 1164. Date of Sentence: October 18, 1984. Sentence: 35 years. The victim was engaged in a fight with the defendant. During the fight, the defendant cut the victim's face with his knife and apparently held him hostage. Later, the victim was taken out into the country, where he was tied up with baling twine and a gunnysack placed over his head. He was then placed in the back of a pickup truck with the defendant. At this point the defendant and possibly some of the others stabbed the victim to death. There were 18 stab wounds in all.