Charges Upheld Against Murder Suspect

A preliminary hearing for William Shane Serrano was held in Kimball County Court on Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m. with County Judge Randin Roland presiding.

Serrano appeared for the hearing with his state-appointed attorney Kelly Breen and Stacy Bach, the Kimball County public defender. Appearing in an orange jumpsuit printed with Kimball County Sheriff Department, Serrano was returned from Scotts Bluff County Detention Center to Kimball County for the preliminary hearing.

The prosecution was represented by Special Deputy Kimball Attorney Douglas Warner, along with Kimball County Attorney David Wilson. After the prosecution called four witnesses and presented 18 exhibits, the judge found probable cause on all five charges, and the cases were bound over to District Court for trial.

The charges are Count 1 – manslaughter (Class 2A felony); Count 2 – attempted first degree murder (Class 2 felony); Count 3 – attempted terroristic threats (Class 4 felony); Count 4 – attempted terroristic threats (Class 4 felony); Count 5 – possession of a firearm during commission of a felony (Class 2 felony).

The four witnesses called by the prosecution were all Nebraska State Patrol investigators. Investigator Dean Christensen's testimony was lengthy as he explained each of the 18 pictures entered into evidence, including photos of the garage, living room or game room, bedroom, shotgun, backpack and phone. Additional state patrol investigators who testified were Alex Sinnett, Cassie Wegelin and Bryan Woods.

Investigator Alex Sinnett testified as to the interview that he participated in with Serrano after the shooting. He said the interview lasted 3 ½ hours and that it began at 10:25 p.m. Jan. 3 after Serrano had been Mirandized and he agreed to speak to the investigators.

In addition to the preliminary hearing, a reduction hearing was also conducted on Feb. 11 and the motion to reduce charges was denied.

The next scheduled court date for Serrano is March 1 at 1 p.m. He will be arraigned.