Arraignments in cases involving felony charges were held in Custer County Court on Monday, September 28th.
Charles M. Murphy, age 48 of Mason City, was arraigned on six counts that allegedly occurred in June of 2023. Murphy faces one count of 1st degree sexual assault of a child who is at least 12 years of age but under 16, a Class I felony; two counts of incest of a child under 18, both Class IIA felonies; one count of 3rd degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, a Class IIIA felony; and two counts of child abuse, both Class IIIA felonies. Matt Furrow was appointed as public defender and a preliminary hearing in the case was set for October 19th. Bond of $250,000 with 10% privilege was continued and the defendant was remanded back to the custody of the Custer County Sheriff.
Also appearing for an arraignment was Joseph A. Pittman, age 37 of Cozad. Pittman is charged with theft of stolen property with a value of over $5,000 by unlawful taking, a Class IIA felony, and with flight to avoid arrest, a Class IV felony. Pittman was also charged with DUI-1st offense and refusal to submit to a chemical test, both Class W misdemeanors, as well as willful reckless driving, a Class III misdemeanor. The charges stem from an arrest on September 17th. Matt Furrow was appointed to represent Pittman and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 19th. The State recommended that bond in the amount of $15,000 with 10% privilege be continued and the defendant was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff.
Preliminary hearings in several other felony cases were continued.
