Homicide Trial Begins Next Week

Jefferson County prepares for the first homicide trial in almost a decade.Next Monday, October 18, begins the trial of Jake J. Gonzalez, 18, of Lincoln, who is accused of the homicide of a two-year-old child in Fairbury earlier this year. The trial is scheduled to last two weeks. Jury selection will begin October 18.The trial will be presided over by District Court Judge Vicky L. Johnson.Gonzalez is charged with child abuse resulting in death, a Class 1B felony, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Gonzales is also charged with terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, 18 months post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine.He was arrested on February 26, after the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office was dispatched to an apartment building at the 700 block of J Street in Fairbury, where the victim was discovered unresponsive in a closet.The child was transported to Jefferson Community Health and Life by County Ambulance District #33. From there the child was flown via helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Omaha, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. According to the Sheriff’s Office, “Upon further investigation, it was suspected Gonzalez caused these injuries to the child.”The defendant is represented by Kelly S. Breen of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, who has indicated his client is unwilling to waive his right to a speedy trial.There Sheriff’s Office has indicated there will be additional security measures in place during the trial.Judge Johnson has granted motions from the defense that allows Gonzalez to wear street clothes, rather than prison fatigues, to court. The judge also granted a request from the sheriff’s office to have Gonzalez to wear an electro-shock stun belt under his clothes.In a separate case, Gonzalez was arrested May 18, 2020, for allegedly shooting a Fairbury man, Lance Powers, who reportedly suffered five gunshot wounds, but survived. The trial for that case is set for the same dates as the homicide trial and is the second trial on the docket. Gonzalez was free on a $250,000 (10 percent) bond when he was arrested for the homicide.In both cases, the State is represented by Special Deputy Jefferson County Attorney William P. Tangeman, of the District Attorney’s Office.While Breen represents Gonzalez in the homicide case, in the shooting case, the defendant’s legal team in the shooting case are Benjamin and Joseph Murray.Gonzalez remains in custody at this time, housed at the Seward County Detention Center.

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