Vehicular Homicide Trial Delayed Again

After more than two years in the court system, a motor vehicle homicide trial has been delayed once again.Raquel A. Bredemeier, 31, of Lincoln, is currently charged with unintentional motor vehicle homicide, a class 2A felony which carries a possible penalty of 20 years in prison. Bredemeier is also charged with DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), a class W misdemeanor punishable by 60 days in jail, a $500 fine and a six-month driver's license revocation.The charges stem from a three-vehicle accident on January 20, 2021, on Highway 136 in 2021 that left a Deshler man dead and two others injured.County Attorney Joseph Casson asked for the continuance in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Casson noted the recent receipt of an additional 1,600 pages of discovery in the form of medical records that had not been reviewed by either side in the case. No explanation was given in court as to why the records had not been received earlier.David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.In court the following week, Casson asked for a continuance, “Now, we were unable to reach a plea agreement. And again, I renew my motion to continue the trial and ask leave to file amended information which would add a charge of involuntary manslaughter.”Casson explained, “Your honor, what I indicated last hearing is that defense counsel provided us medical records. And reviewing those medical records would indicate there's a basis for an additional charge based on the information contained therein. And what I discussed with the court last week was a continuance primarily because of the information and medical records will likely require a forensic toxicologist to address those issues. So in any event, we would need to continue to trial for that purpose.”Defense Counsel Carlos Monzon, who had previously been granted multiple continuances, this time objected to further delay, “We're very close to the trial date. We're ready for trial. Keep the current trial date. Do not allow the state to amend. Proceed to trial.”At that time, the trial was set for August 15-18, 2023.Judge Bargen did not make a decision at that time, instead taking the matter “under advisement.”On July 18, 2023, the judge issued his ruling. A new trial date was set for October 24-27, 2023.The deadline for a plea agreement is September 7, 2023.

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