Fighting lands defendants in Antelope County court

Six of seven defendants who faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday morning, July 1, when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County Court, faced charges stemming from alleged fights.

If convicted of their individual third-degree assault, fight by mutual consent charges, they each face a possible fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both, for the Class 2 misdemeanor.

Hugo Estrada, 28, and Smokie J. Pike, 24, who resided in Neligh for the past several months, were cited for a May 3 fight at their residence. Pike pleaded not guilty June 3 and appeared last week for pretrial hearing, while Estrada appeared for further arraignment after requesting continuance to consult an attorney earlier in the month. Both cases are continued to July 15.

Pike, who listed a current Kearney address, told Taylor she had been out of town and had not seen a plea offer county attorney Joseph Abler had mailed to her, was uncertain if she wanted an attorney or if she wanted to accept Abler’s offer to recommend a fine only in exchange for her guilty plea. After Taylor advised the possible fine would be as much as $1,000, Pike requested counsel. Taylor found her indigent and appointed public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk.

Estrada also requested court-appointed counsel and was sent to the gallery to complete paperwork. When he was called back to the defendant’s table, he had not completed it, saying he didn’t have a pen. Taylor questioned him regarding his financial status, found him indigent and appointed Martin Klein of Neligh to represent him. He told Taylor that Pike had relocated to Kearney and he planned to, after having spent 14 days in quarantine, due to exposure to Covid-19.

“We think small town is not for us,” he said.

Hector Gilbert Moreno Resendez, 23, of Guymon, Oklahoma, and Steven T. Kampbell, 24, of Boulder, Montana, who had been working in the area, were allegedly involved in an altercation May 22 in Neligh. Kampbell said his work in Nebraska was done, while Resendez indicated he had a week left, but would be able to return for court. Both were granted continuances to consult an attorney. Further arraignment is continued in both cases to July 15.

Ross and Ashton Shabram, both of Neligh, were also cited in a mutual assault situation May 22, on Main Street in Neligh.

Ross M. Shabram, 29, accompanied by his attorney, Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, pleaded not guilty. Ashton J. Shabram, 18, waived his right to counsel, also pleading not guilty. Both requested jury trial. Pretrial is set for both July 15.

Shane Sleister, 46, of Oakdale appeared for a Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, alleged May 25. He requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor found him indigent and appointed Carney. Further arraignment is continued to July 15.

Sadie S. Dorn, 40, of Lincoln failed to appear on a Class 3 misdemeanor charge of driving under suspension, alleged May 28. Taylor ruled motion may be entered for arrest warrant by Abler.

Brian C. Swanson, 42, of Niobrara pleaded guilty by waiver to Count I, violating farm registration use, a Class 4 misdemeanor, and Count II, a commercial motor vehicle marking violation, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He was fined $100 and $50, respectively, and $49 costs. He was cited for having farm plates on a pickup and trailer near the junction of highways 14 and 20 on June 1, by a Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement officer.