Custer County Court was in session on Monday, October 5th, with Judge Tami Schendt presiding.
Mary J. Willis, age 30 of Broken Bow, was in court for her first appearance in a case where she faces ten counts of criminal charges. All charges stem from an incident occurring on August 22nd of this year. Willis faces three counts of child abuse, all Class IIIA felonies; two counts of assaulting a police officer in the 3rd degree, both Class IIIA felonies; resisting arrest, a Class I misdemeanor; DUI-2nd offense, a Class W misdemeanor, and three counts of transporting a child under the age of 16 while intoxicated, all Class I misdemeanors. Her preliminary hearing was set for November 9th and bond was continued.
Appearing for a preliminary hearing was Tanner B. Bowers, age 35 of Arnold. In July, Bowers was charged with three counts of terroristic threats, all Class IIIA felonies; criminal mischief; and three counts of 3rd degree assault, Class I misdemeanors. During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney Matt Furrow informed the court that a plea agreement had been reached with the State, resulting in the dismissal of the terroristic threat charges as well as dismissal of the criminal mischief charge. In exchange, the defendant pleaded guilty to the three counts of 3rd degree assault. Judge Schendt found Bowers guilty and a presentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing was set for December 14th. Bowers was remanded back to the custody of the Custer County Sheriff.
Preliminary hearings on the docket for other cases involving felony charges were continued to later dates.
