Judge Burdick hands down DUI punishment

William J. Deane, 64, of Page faced the Honorable Kane Burdick in the Holt County court Aug. 4, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

County attorney Brent Kelly filed an amended complaint in May, dropping an enhancement factor. Deane changed his previous not guilty plea to guilty. Burdick judged him guilty and sentenced him to a $500 fine, a six-month probation term, including $210 in fees, $50 costs of prosecution and revoked his driver’s license for 60 days. He was issued a limited one-day driving permit to travel to his residence after court.

Nicholas D. Harris, 34, of O’Neill was sentenced on three counts. Burdick ordered 10 days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for one day previously served, a $500 fine, nine months’ probation, including $390 probation fees, and an 18-month revocation of his driver’s license on Count I, second-offense driving under the influence, a Class W misdemeanor; a $100 fine on Count II, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction; and a $125 fine on Count III, speeding, 16-20 mph over the limit; in addition to $50 costs. Two additional counts, refusing a chemical test and possession of marijuana, were dismissed by county attorney Brent Kelly in June, as part of a plea agreement.

Thomas E. Stein, 64, of O’Neill pleaded guilty to obstruction of public ways, near his O’Neill residence July 6. Burdick fined him $100 and assessed $50 costs.

Hunter R. Alder, 20, of Lynch pleaded guilty by waiver and was fined $100 and $49 costs for possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction committed April 19.

Alder had originally contested the charge, along with a count of possession of marijuana, an infraction that was subsequently dismissed. Alder was cited in O’Neill after he was stopped by a city officer for no headlights.

Todd D. Mitchell, 58, of Atkinson pleaded guilty by waiver to two counts, no valid registration and possession of an open alcohol container, both Class 3 misdemeanors. He was fined $25 and $50, respectively, and assessed $49 costs for the July 6 offenses.