O'Neill man given opportunity to participate in special court

Charles E. Krysl, 45, of O’Neill faced two judges in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last week, in four cases.

Facing charges in two district court cases, Krysl appeared in front of the Honorable Mark Kozisec on Monday, April 11, for pretrial hearing on nine felony counts and a Class 1 misdemeanor in one case and two felony counts in a second case.

A plea bargain was announced that included both cases along with two county court cases.

In district court, pursuant to terms of the agreement, Krysl pleaded guilty to burglary, a Class 2A felony committed Jan. 12, 2021; theft - $1,500-$4,999, a Class 4 felony committed May 25, 2020; theft by receiving stolen property - $1,500-$4,999, a Class 4 felony committed Jan. 21, 2021; and burglary, committed Oct. 1, 2021; and agreed to pay restitution. In return Holt County prosecutor Brent Kelly dismissed the remaining charges in the two cases, two counts of burglary (July 28, 2020, Nov. 20, 2020); one count of theft - more than $5,000 (July 28, 2020); three counts of theft - $1,500-$4,999 (Dec. 23, 2020, Nov. 20, 2020, Oct. 1, 2020); one count of theft by receiving stolen property - $501-$1,499 (Jan. 12, 2021); one count of tampering with evidence (Jan. 21, 2021). Kelly also agreed not to resist Krysl’s participation in problem-solving court and commitment deferral.

Kozisec deferred and postponed sentencing, pending Krysl’s participation in the North Central Problem Solving Court. Bonds in amounts of $50,000, 10%, posted March 22, 2021, and $10,000, 10%, posted May 27, 2021, are continued, conditioned upon Krysl’s compliance with rules and regulations of the problem-solving court. Release of bond will be further addressed at his April 18 appearance in the special court. He was assessed an enrollment fee of $30 and $100 monthly fees through April 30, 2024.

The cases involved thefts of catalytic converters, machinery parts, tools and hunting and camping equipment from multiple locations, including an O’Neill business, abandoned rural residences, a residential construction site in O’Neill, rural shops and Knox County cabins.

Krysl appeared in the county court April 12 in two cases. He pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of a property-damage accident. In return Kelly dismissed a count of no proof of financial responsibility. The Honorable Kale Burdick ordered him to pay $500 restitution to Jeffrey Eyeman and $4,064 to Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He was sentenced to a 12-month term of probation, including a $30 enrollment fee and $60 drug-testing fees, and he was assessed $50 costs of prosecution. Probation programming fees of $300 were waived by the judge.

Krysl was the driver in a hit-and-run collision with Eyemann’s house and garage Nov. 4, 2021. A witness saw him back away from the damaged house and drive across the lawn to a street to leave the area, according to an affidavit filed by the investigating officer.

Krysl also pleaded no contest to three counts committed Feb. 19, Count I, second-degree trespassing, Count II, leaving the scene of an accident, both Class 2 misdemeanors, and Count III, willful reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor. In return, Kelly agreed to file no additional charges in the case and to recommend probation.

Burdick sentenced him to a 12-month term of probation, including a $30 enrollment fee and $60 drug-testing fees, and assessed $50 costs. Burdick waived $300 probation programming fees. He also fined Krysl $500 on Count III and ordered, as a term of probation, that “termination or withdrawal from the problem-solving court shall be deemed a violation of probation.”

According to an affidavit, Holt County deputies were called to deal with Krysl several times Feb. 19, first to an altercation at an O’Neill convenience store. Both parties left in separate vehicles. Deputies were called to a report of him chasing the other vehicle around Ewing and he was observed by a Holt County investigator “cutting off” the other party’s vehicle, attempting to open the vehicle door and later, trespassing at a Ewing residence. Officers ordered him to leave the property. Deputies were called again when he returned to the residence, drove across the lawn and hit a gas meter. He had left by the time officers arrived. Officers were called back to the residence when he again returned and tried to enter the residence. He was then arrested.

Krysl was represented by court-appointed counsel, Martin Klein of Neigh.