KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Police say they aren't giving up on a 10-year-old central Nebraska homicide case and are still actively pursuing leads despite having no suspects.
Kearney Police Department Captain Mike Kirkwood tells the Kearney Hub that officers work on the Kelcey Fike murder investigation on almost a daily basis. He says police remain confident they'll find Fike's killer, particularly once technology advances to test and decipher the DNA found on the victim's body.
Kirkwood has shared more details about Fike's death at her trailer in Kearney in June 2008. He says police believe there's a high probability the killer knew Fike and that an attempted sexual assault may have occurred.
An autopsy found that Fike died of a ligature strangulation and blunt force trauma to the torso and head.
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska county will seek further review of a $28.1 million judgment awarded to six people who were wrongfully convicted of murder.
On Monday a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to overturn the jury's 2016 verdict against Gage County and two former law enforcement officials.
The Gage County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to ask that the entire 8th U.S. Circuit Appeals Court review the appeal.
Patrick O'Brien is one of the attorneys representing Gage County, and he says rehearings of appeals are rarely granted. He says the county could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if the rehearing were not granted.
The verdict was awarded to the Beatrice Six for their wrongful convictions in the 1985 rape and killing of 68-year-old Helen Wilson. They spent more than 75 years combined in prison until DNA evidence cleared them in 2008.
NORTH PLATTE,Neb. (June 11, 2018) — As part of an international movement, the American Red Cross is launching the Missing Types campaign today to recruit new blood donors – and those who have not given recently – to ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients.
During the Missing Types campaign, the letters A, B and O – the main blood groups – will disappear from brands, social media pages, signs and websites to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays. When the letters A, B and O vanish from everyday life, the gaps are striking. And when A, B and O blood types are missing from hospital shelves, patient care could be impacted.
“Unfortunately, blood shortages still happen and the number of new Red Cross blood donors is shrinking each year,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “That’s why the Red Cross is asking those who have never donated blood and those who haven’t given in a while to make a lifesaving donation. You are the missing type patients need.”
Don’t wait until the letters A, B and O go missing from hospital shelves. Join the #MissingType movement today – make an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes, using the Red Cross Blood Donor Appor calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
On June 7th at about 7:30 PM Sergeant Wangler and another Officer responded to the residence located at 3410 16th Street in Columbus regarding an anonymous report that a wanted individual was at that location. In the course of the contact with the Suspect; 24 year old Jorje Robledo, a gunfight ensued. Initially, during the conflict, Robledo was armed with a handgun. As the situation developed, Robledo transitioned to a rifle. Both Wangler and Robledo were shot during the exchange and received multiple gunshot wounds.
Both Wangler and Robledo were initially taken to the Columbus Community Hospital and later to the University of Nebraska Medical Center by medical helicopter. Wangler is currently in stable condition, however he will require additional surgery relating to a wound in his neck. Robledo remains in critical condition.
Sergeant Wangler is a 19 year veteran of the Columbus Police. He is married and has two children.
We would like to extend our thanks to the Nebraska State Patrol, Platte County Sheriff's Department and the Omaha Police Department for the support they have offered in this matter.
The incident is being jointly investigated by the Columbus Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol.
