Murder Trial Begins First Week

Seventy-five residents of Jefferson County reported to the County Courthouse on Monday, October 18, as potential jurors in 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 and will be presided over by District Court Judge Vicky L. Johnson.This is the first homicide trial held in Jefferson County in nearly a decade.Gonzalez appeared in court unshackled and in street clothes. The defendant is represented by Kelly S. Breen of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, who filed a motion, granted by the judge, that Gonzalez be allowed to wear street clothes, rather than prison fatigues, to court. The judge also granted a request from the Sheriff’s Office to have Gonzalez wear an electro-shock stun belt under his clothes. Additional security was provided by the Sheriff’s office.The State is represented by Special Deputy Jefferson County Attorney William P. Tangeman and Assistant Attorney general Zachary Blackman, both of the District Attorney’s Office.Most of the morning was spent with juror orientation and interviewing prospective jurors about their ability to remain impartial. A number of jurors admitted to seeing media reports about the case and 25 indicated they did not believe they would be able to be impartial. After interviewing them in private, with the attorneys in both cases, Judge Johnson excused 17 of them.Potential jurors were then being questioned by attorneys in the afternoon. Attorneys are allowed to dismiss a certain number of jurors without cause. By 3:34 p.m., the jury pool had been winnowed down to 12 jurors and one alternate.The jurors were then sworn in and Judge Johnson then gave the jury instructions, which includes not discussing the case with others and not paying attention to media reports.At the end of the trial, jurors will have the option of three possible verdicts: guilty of intentional child abuse resulting in death, guilty of manslaughter or not guilty.Tuesday, day two of the trial began with opening arguments from the prosecution and the defense.Gonzalez remains in custody at this time, housed at the Seward County Detention Center. His bond is currently set at $15 million. The bond set was a cash bond, meaning the defendant will have to put up the full amount, not just 10 percent.

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