Continuances granted in Antelope County cases

The Honorable James Kube granted continuances in three cases when Antelope County District Court met last week.

Douglas D. Carpenter,43, of Neligh appeared with his attorney Ryon Stover of Norfolk, for a pretrial hearing on information to revoke probation. He was sentenced, in December 2018, to a one-year term of probation on an assault conviction. Violation of the terms of probation are alleged Sept. 1, when Carpenter was arrested in Neligh on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. A count of stalking was also filed in Antelope County Court. Stover filed a motion to stay a jail sentence, ordered as part of the original sentence, until mid-January. He said Carpenter was helping his father with harvest. Abler commented that most harvest was completed, but did not object. Kube sustained the motion, staying the jail sentence and continued the pretrial hearing until Feb. 26.

He told Carpenter, "Be prepared to go into jail at that time."

Christofer N. Carstens, 21, of Oakdale appeared with Carney, who asked for a continuance. Kube sustained the request. Pretrial is continued to Jan. 29, and trial to March 18. Carstens faces a Class 2 felony count, intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily harm, alleged May 24-25. Bond in the amount of $500,000, 10%, is continued as well. He was remanded to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore's custody, pending posting of bond.

Alexander J. Fitzgerald, 28, of Neligh was granted continuance of his pretrial hearing until Jan. 29, with trial set for March 18. Carney told Kube he had one additional item to check out, then he expects resolution. Fitzgerald faces two counts, Count I, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a Class 2 felony, and Count II, second-degree assault, a Class 2A felony, both alleged Aug. 22 in Tilden. A conviction on Count I would carry a maximum sentence of 50 years, with a minimum of one year, along with mandatory consecutive terms, while Count II carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and no minimum. Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty to both counts. 27. Bond in the amount of $25,000, 10%, is continued, with terms including no possession of deadly weapons, including knives and guns.