Bond amendment denied for teen accused of school threat

Koda K. Fernau, 18, of Clearwater appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor on Dec. 6, beside his court-appointed attorney Ryan Stover of Norfolk, for a status hearing on a felony count of making terroristic threats and for arraignment on two misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace.

Stover asked for a continuance, “not out very far…Koda has been in the Antelope County Jail since September.”

He then asked for review of Fernau’s $25,000, 10% bond.

“I am sure he would like to be home with his family for Christmas. His mom agreed to help him continue with schoolwork that he had been doing at the jail…He is set to graduate in January.”

Madison County attorney Joe Smith, filling in for Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler, opposed reduction of bond and suggested setting a preliminary hearing.

“I am not sure how long (Abler’s) illness will keep him away,” the prosecutor said. “(Fernau’s case) involves very serious threats.”

Taylor denied bond modification. “Bond for his charges is actually set pretty low,” she said before scheduling the preliminary hearing for Dec. 28.

Taylor told Fernau and his attorney that Antelope County district court will be in session Dec. 21 and offered an option for a short bond hearing at the conclusion of the district court cases. “I will be around, and we will work you in,” she said.

Smith said he should know more about the timing of Abler’s return by then.

Bond is continued. Fernau was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore.

Fernau’s charges stem from actions allegedly committed in September. Allegedly, while riding on a Summerland bus Sept. 2, he commented about purchasing a firearm and, while at work in Neligh on Sept. 9, he allegedly threatened to shoot up a Summerland Public School bus.

Lynn D. Koinzan, 62, of Elgin who is accused of a Class 3 misdemeanor count of reckless driving, appeared for his pretrial hearing but his attorney did not. Taylor asked Koinzan to call the attorney but the defendant could not recall the man’s last name. Taylor looked in the record and found the attorney was Bradley Easland of Norfolk. She left the courtroom to call Easland.

“He was rather embarrassed to admit that, although he was the one who requested a continuance, he didn’t get it (new date) on his calendar,” the judge reported when she returned to the courtroom.

She continued the hearing to Jan. 18, 2023.

Barbara Youngblood appeared alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk for further arraignment on Count I, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and Count II, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged Sept. 24. Youngblood entered not guilty pleas to both charges and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Jan. 18.

Through Carney, Adam M. Babl of Norfolk requested a continuance of his pretrial hearing, due to illness. Babl is charged with no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor and no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged June 18. Taylor continued the hearing to Jan. 18. Babl is represented by Carney.