Norfolk men sentenced in Antelope County court

Richard C. Jelich Jr., 28, of Norfolk appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Nov. 15, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, for sentencing on a count of third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor committed June 14 at a Neligh residence.

Carney told the Honorable Donna Taylor that Jelich has motivation to succeed at probation.

“He has a decent handle on where he is and where he wants to go,” the attorney said.

Jelich apologized for his behavior, saying he accepted full responsibility.

Taylor showed some skepticism as she reviewed the presentence report prepared by the probation office with Jelich.

“You are upset that no one else was charged, said you were worried about complying with probation and worried you might be sentenced to one year in jail,” Taylor said. “You’ve been on probation (in the past), been through drug court…it’s not going to be type of probation that says, ‘go forth and sin no more.’ If you are successful at probation, it should be the last time…with all the restrictions I am going to put on you.”

When the judge questioned him about where he resides, he said he didn’t have a residence.

“I just stay where I can,” he said. “Probation would help me find a residence, like a halfway house.”

Taylor told him it would be difficult to supervise a probation subject who has no residence.

She then sentenced him to a 12-month term of probation, including fees totaling $390; a $500 fine and two days in the Antelope County Jail, with credit for two days previously served.

In addition to standard terms of probation, Taylor ordered Jelich to seek and secure housing in Norfolk or surrounding community, suggesting the Norfolk Rescue Mission; maintain gainful employment; continue counseling treatment; obtain a co-occurring evaluation with an approved provider and complete all recommendations; attend one AA meeting per week; and have no contact with the assault victim without permission of the probation officer. He was taxed $60 costs of prosecution.

Jelich pleaded guilty Oct. 4, per terms of a plea agreement with Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith.

He was arrested after a Neligh officer was dispatched to the Neligh residence of a relative. The victim reported he was assaulted inside the home after asking Jelich to quiet down and again outside the residence.

Patrick S. Murphey, 63, of Norfolk also appeared alongside Carney, for sentencing on two counts, Count I, driving under the influence, and Count III, third-degree assault.

Taylor placed Murphey on probation for nine months, along with a $500 fine on each count and 60 days revocation of his driver’s license on Count I. He must pay $310 in probation-related fees and $50 costs. Probation terms include: Attend one AA meeting per week; participate in outpatient counseling as recommended in a substance abuse evaluation; and 90 days of continuous alcohol monitoring, 30 days immediately with the remaining 60 days at the direction of his probation officer.

Murphy pleaded guilty to the two counts as part of a plea agreement Oct. 4 and Smith dismissed Count II, refusal to submit to chemical test, and agreed to recommend a fine only on Count III.

Michael R. Pulis, 46, of Atkinson appeared, alongside Carney, for a restitution hearing and sentencing on three counts, Count I, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; operate an unregistered vehicle, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and careless driving, an infraction, all committed Dec. 21, 2022, when he was involved in a collision west of Neligh.

Smith requested continuance to finish work on restitution amount. He said there was disagreement on the value of a vehicle. Taylor continued sentencing to Dec. 6.