We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Court: Lincoln Man’s Sex Assault Conviction Stands

Mitchell Bogenreif
Mitchell Bogenreif

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska court has ruled to uphold a 38-year-old Lincoln man’s conviction of sexually assaulting a young girl.

The Nebraska Court of Appeals issued an opinion Tuesday, saying trial errors alleged by Mitchell Bogenreif’s attorneys were unfounded. Bogenreif was convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child and aggravated third-degree sexual assault in May based on testimony from a then 8-year-old girl.

Defense attorneys argued the girl’s testimony wasn’t sufficient for the jury to convict Bogenreif, primarily because there was no physical evidence of sexual assault. They also said Bogenreif never admitted the alleged sexual abuse to the girl’s mother. But the concluded that the verdict ultimately came down to credibility, which is a question for the jury.

Bogenreif is serving 44 to 65 years in prison.

Appeals Court Orders New Trial for Nebraskan in Baby’s Death

Ryan Kozisek
Ryan Kozisek

YORK, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial for a 33-year-old man convicted of killing his infant daughter.

The court ruled Tuesday that 33-year-old Ryan Kozisek should have a new jury trial after he appealed his December 2013 sentence of 35 to 50 years in prison. A York County jury found Kozisek guilty of child abuse resulting in the death of his 4-month-old daughter, Kayley Kozisek.

The appeals court concluded that Kozisek should get a retrial because an admission of opinion made by his ex-wife regarding his involvement in the baby’s death “was prejudicial error.” A new trial has not yet been scheduled.

Kayley died at an Omaha hospital on Jan. 25, 2011, a day after Kozisek called 911 and said she wasn’t breathing.

Oregon Man Accused of Blowing Pot Smoke in Infant’s Mouth

police-lights-redBEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man has been accused of blowing pot smoke into the mouth of his year-old child.

Officers said they responded to a report of a domestic argument at the Beaverton home of 22-year-old Christopher Robert Kling on Sunday night when a family friend gave them a smartphone video of Kling drawing smoke from a glass pipe and blowing it into the child’s mouth.

Kling is accused of endangering the welfare of a minor and other crimes. He made an initial court appearance Monday and asked for a court-appointed attorney. The public defender’s office in Washington County didn’t immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

The police said the video had been turned over to child welfare authorities and wouldn’t be made public.

Omaha Officer Who Shot Unarmed Man Quits After Investigation

officer-involved-shootingOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha officer who fatally shot an unarmed man last month has resigned following a departmental investigation.

The Omaha Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday that the Internal Affairs investigation into the Feb. 23 shooting had been completed and that Chief Todd Schmaderer (SHMAH’-dur) had accepted the resignation of Officer Alvin Lugod.

The news release did not say whether Lugod had violated any departmental policies or say why he quit. A police spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a message from The Associated Press, seeking comment.

A grand jury had cleared Lugod in the shooting of 39-year-old Danny Elrod, who was a suspect in a robbery at a nearby store.

Man Convicted in Southeast Nebraska Hit-and-Run Death Case

James Gibbs
James Gibbs

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 33-year-old man has taken a plea deal in the hit-and-run death of a rural Hickman resident in southeast Nebraska.

Court records say James Gibbs, of Panama, pleaded no contest to manslaughter on Monday. Prosecutors dropped a charge of failing to stop and render aid in return for Gibbs’ plea.

Authorities say Gibbs was driving his pickup home from a bar when he hit 62-year-old Gregory Nicklas around 11:30 p.m. on May 29 last year while Nicklas was out walking his dog. Gibbs left the scene but later turned himself in.

Man Accused of Stealing Car from Lincoln Dealership

lincoln-policeLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man has been arrested after Lincoln police say he stole a vehicle from a car dealership.

Sgt. John Walsh says workers at DuTeau Chevrolet reported on Monday afternoon that someone had stolen a 2015 Chevy Camaro. Nebraska State Patrol troopers tracked the car for about an hour before Lincoln police officers began a pursuit.

Walsh says officers tried to arrest the 21-year-old suspect, but he rammed the vehicle into a patrol car before taking off. Police worked with the car dealership’s employees, who reached out to OnStar to shut the car off remotely.

Walsh says officers eventually were able to arrest the man on suspicion of felony theft, fleeing to avoid arrest and other charges.

Iowan Who Managed Nebraska Apartments is Sentenced

jailOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 41-year-old Iowa woman who was managing property in northeast Nebraska’s South Sioux City has been sentenced for lying to federal officials.

Federal prosecutors said Monday that Melissa Edwards, of Sioux City, Iowa, was given a year and a day in prison and was ordered to pay more than $179,000 in restitution. She must serve three years of supervised release when she leaves custody.

Prosecutors say Edwards falsified applications and recertifications for Section 8 housing subsidies from October 2011 to October 2013.

In August Edwards was placed on probation in Iowa’s Woodbury County District Court after pleading guilty to theft for stealing more than $8,000 while manager of a Sioux City apartment complex.

Ex-Husker Football Coach Charged with Domestic Assault

Rick Kaczenski
Rick Kaczenski

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former University of Nebraska football coach has been charged with domestic assault after Lincoln police say he threw a picture frame at a 33-year-old woman.

Forty-year-old Rick Kaczenski was Nebraska’s defensive line coach from 2012 to 2014. Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Carolyn Bosn charged him with third-degree domestic assault Monday.

A Lincoln police officer says police were called over the weekend to a Lincoln home about an argument between two people. Police found the woman with a cut to her forehead and scratches to her face and neck.

Kaczenski was jailed Sunday on suspicion of committing third-degree domestic assault. He was released on bond Monday night.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Kaczenski has an attorney.

Free Weather Radios Being Handed Out in 5 Nebraska Towns

noaa-weather-radioCOLERIDGE, Neb. (AP) — Free weather alert radios will be distributed in five northeast Nebraska towns on Tuesday.

The event is sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska Long Term Recovery Team, a volunteer group formed after tornadoes struck northeast Nebraska last summer.

The radios may be picked up from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wakefield Fire Station in Wakefield and the Coleridge Fire Station in Coleridge. Other distribution points are the Wisner Fire Station in Wisner and the swimming pool in Pilger, both from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the Stanton Fire Station in Stanton from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The radios will be preprogrammed for the appropriate county/counties. There is a limit of one radio per household.

 

Nebraska Medicine Picks New Interim CEO

nebraska-medical-centerOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Medical Center’s chief operating officer has been chosen to serve as interim CEO of the overall Nebraska Medicine organization in Omaha.

Rosanna Morris was named interim chief executive on Monday. Morris is a nurse who has worked for the organization since 2007.

Morris replaces Bill Dinsmoor who retired March 3. A national search will be conducted to find a permanent chief executive.

Nebraska Medicine includes the Nebraska Medical Center hospital in Omaha, the Bellevue Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center Physicians network of outpatient clinics.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File