Bond remains as ordered for Elgin man accused of child abuse

The Honorable Donna Taylor, presiding from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Sept. 6, denied both a prosecution motion to revoke bond and an alleged victim's request to amend the bond conditions.

Robert J. Suhr, 26, of Elgin faced Taylor, alongside his attorney, Brad Ewalt of Norfolk, on a child abuse charge.

If convicted of the Class 3A felony, Suhr faces up to three years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. He requested preliminary hearing, which Taylor set for Oct. 4.

A motion, filed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith, to revoke Suhr's $10,000, 10% cash, bond, was heard by Taylor. Bond conditions include no contact with the juvenile victim's mother or her two children. Smith called Antelope County deputy Lyle Juracek to the stand. The deputy testified that the mother had agreed to submit a written statement. He said he was sent to her Elgin residence to pick it up Sept. 3, when she had not dropped it off as agreed. The deputy observed Suhr in the house. After Suhr left the home, the woman gave the statement to the deputy.

The woman, who had requested the judge remove no contact conditions from Suhr's bond, was also called to testify. She verified her request to have the no contact order lifted and explained the incident, describing an alleged assault on herself, her special-need child's reaction and Suhr's alleged striking the child. She said her children do not reside in the home but she has visitation.

Suhr's attorney told the judge his client was there just to pick up jackets because the weather was turning cool.

Taylor ordered all bond conditions remain as set and warned Suhr that he was to have "no contact at all" with the woman. She said sometimes the conditions are for the protection of victims but they also help prevent attempts to influence potential witness' testimony.

Ronald E. Murray, 60, of Norfolk appeared for further arraignment on May 2022 charges, Count I, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count II, no registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, no operator's license, a Class 3 misdemeanor. If convicted, Murray faces penalties of up to six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine on Count I and up to 90 days and/or up to $500 fines each on counts II and III.

He pleaded not guilty to all three counts and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Oct. 4. Bond, in the amount of $1,500, 10% is continued.

Two defendants, who were scheduled for arraignment, did not show up for court. Taylor noted their failure to appear and ruled Smith may file documents requesting arrest warrants.

Newell Douglas, 52, of Petersburg is charged with three Class 4 felony bad check counts, totaling $531.37, alleged May 30, June 3 and June 11, all to Elgin One Stop.

The other truant defendant was Kegan J. McAllister, 18, of Tilden. McAllister is charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor count of third-degree domestic assault, alleged July 6.

The following cases were continued to Oct. 4.

•Christopher Barta, 29, Irene, South Dakota, preliminary hearing on two felony counts, conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, alleged between April 1 and July 17; $50,000, 10% bond continued;

•Julius Tauber, 21, Camp Lejune, North Carolina; arraignment on two counts of intimidation by phone call, alleged Sept. 17 and Sept. 18, 2022;

•Richard C. Jelich Jr., 28, of Neligh; pretrial hearing on third-degree assault, alleged June 14; $10,000, 10% bond continued;

•Patrick S. Murphy, 62, of Norfolk; pretrial hearing on three counts, driving under the influence, refusal to submit to test and third-degree assault, all alleged June 16; $1,500, 10% bond continued;

•Ronald E. Murberger, 52, of Neligh; pretrial hearing on one count, third-degree assault, (mutual consent) alleged June 29; and

• Melissa A. Murberger, 47, of Neligh; pretrial hearing on one count, third-degree assault, (mutual consent) alleged June 29.