Marlon D. Cucul-Tzin, age 22 of Broken Bow, appeared in Custer County District Court for sentencing on Thursday, November 21st. In September of this year, Cucul-Tzin pleaded no contest to Count I, manslaughter, a Class IIA felony; and to Count VI, willful reckless driving, a Class III misdemeanor. The charges stem from a December 3, 2021, motor vehicle accident near Oconto, Nebraska, that resulted in the death of Dan Jacobson of Broken Bow. Judge Karin Noakes sentenced Cucul-Tzin to five-years’ probation for the manslaughter charge and to 90 days in the Custer County Jail for the willful reckless driving charge.
Appearing for arraignment in Custer County District Court on Thursday was Caleb D. Grant, age 19 of Ansley. Grant is charged with four counts: 1st degree assault, a Class IIA felony; making terroristic threats, a Class IIIA felony; 3rd degree assault, a Class I misdemeanor; and disturbing the peace, a Class III misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and Judge Noakes set his trial date for February 3, 2025. The Judge also denied the defendant’s request to reduce his bond. He remains in county jail on a $75,000 bond with 10% privilege.
James L. Barta, age 34 of Broken Bow, appeared in court for a hearing on probation violation. Barta denied he had violated his probation and Judge Noakes set a progression conference for the matter on January 16, 2025. Sabri A. Tirkash, age 59 of Schuyler, was also in court for a probation violation hearing. The defendant denied the charge and will next appear in court for a progression conference on January 16, 2025.
Mark Porto, attorney for Phillip S. Duncan, age 53 of Broken Bow, asked Judge Noakes to consider a bond reduction for his client. Judge Noakes denied the request and Duncan remains in Custer County Jail with bond at $250,000, 10% privilege. Duncan is charged with one count of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a Class II felony; one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, a Class III felony; six counts of terroristic threats, Class IIIA felonies; two counts of 3rd degree assault, Class I misdemeanors; one count of intimidation by telephone or an electronic device, a Class III misdemeanor; and one count of being a habitual criminal. The charges stem from alleged offenses that occurred on July 5, 2024. In September, Duncan pleaded not guilty to all charges and a jury trial is set for January 16, 2025.
