January jury trial set for county commissiner accused of theft

An Antelope County commissioner will face a jury of his peers in the county courtroom in January, more than a year after the alleged theft of county property.

Eli Jacob, 66, of Clearwater, who is accused of taking a furnace from the Orchard county barn last January, faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday for a pretrial hearing in the case.

Madison County Attorney Joseph Smith, as special prosecutor for Antelope County, told Taylor he anticipates a two-day trial, possibly three days, dependent on how long jury selection takes. He said he had been notified by the defense attorney of possible complications in seating a jury and suggested a larger than normal pool of potential jurors.

Taylor set the trial for Jan. 30 – 31 and scheduled a final pretrial hearing for Jan. 15, at which time witness and exhibit lists and all other issues are to be identified by both parties.

Jacob pleaded not guilty March 6. The case had been continued each subsequent month, until he faced Taylor last week. He is represented by Jason Doele of Norfolk.

An investigation was conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol. The county commissioners voted Feb. 12 to engage Woods & Aitken LLC to conduct an independent investigation, on a unanimous vote (including the defendant).

Charges were filed by Smith at the conclusion of the investigation.

Jacob had been employed by the county road department for 10 years, beginning in March 2009. He was elected to the board of commissioners in November 2016, taking office in January 2017, serving District 2 that includes the Orchard road department barn.

Prior to his taking the oath of office, members of what was then the board of supervisors questioned Pam Bourne with the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, regarding his status as a road employee. At that time, Bourne advised she knew of no reason his employment would have to be terminated when he took office.

His employment with the road department was terminated by the board of commissioners following an executive session May 7, with no reason made public.

He retains his position as a commissioner.