Eighteen-year-old found competent to stand trial

An inmate at the Antelope County Jail, who was recently evaluated by a mental health professional, has been found competent to stand trial.

Steven H. Habegger, 18, appeared in Antelope County district court, with his attorney, Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, for the third time. He was arraigned on four counts, a Class 3A felony, child abuse, alleged Feb. 10 at a Neligh motel, along with three Class 1 misdemeanors, contributing to delinquency of a child, debauching a minor and cruel mistreatment of an animal. Habegger entered not guilty pleas to all counts when he faced the Honorable Mark Johnson May 25.

County prosecutor Joe Abler offered an exhibit - an evaluation from Dr. Klaus Hartmann from the Lincoln Regional Center, who had performed the competency evaluation. The report was received without objection and was ordered to be sealed by Johnson. He noted the doctor’s finding that the defendant is competent to proceed with trial.

Johnson advised Habegger of the general nature of the charges, as well as the possible penalties for conviction of each charge, including up to three years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine on the felony child abuse count and up to one year/$1,000 on each of the misdemeanors. The defendant was notified of the requirements of Nebraska’s Sex Offender Registration Act in the event of conviction, and that he has a right to a jury determination of an aggravated offense. The case is set for pretrial conference Aug. 31 and jury trial Sept. 19. Bond is continued in the amount of $100,000, 10% cash. Habegger was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore, pending posting of bond.