In court, prosecutors disclosed that the suspect in the stabbing murder of a Catholic priest in eastern Nebraska had no previous connection to the priest or the tiny community where the event happened last week.
Crime scene (Photo: Alamy)
Kierre Williams Jailed Without Bail as Death Penalty Looms
Kierre Williams, 43, has been jailed without bail for first-degree murder, burglary, and two felony firearms charges in the Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, murder of Rev. Stephen Gutgsell.
The 65-year-old priest phoned 911 to report a break-in, and deputies discovered Gutgsell with knife wounds and Williams on top of him. In the hospital, Gutgsell died. Williams, appearing via video conference, was astonished to learn the murder accusation may result in death, saying his counsel had told him life.
The death penalty is available for Rev. Stephen Gutgsell‘s stabbing case, according to County Attorney Scott VanderSchaaf. The decision on whether to execute Kierre Williams will be taken 30 days before the trial.
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Second Fatality, Break-In Connection, and Suspect’s Extensive Criminal Past
Investigators said Gutgsell’s stabbing was Fort Calhoun’s second fatality this year and happened during break-ins without a clear link. Suspect Williams resided 75 miles away in Sioux City, Nebraska.
An affidavit claims that local officers found Kierre Williams to be a convicted criminal with various warrants in other states after arresting him. In a motion to hold Williams without bail, Assistant Washington County Attorney Erik Petersen noted Williams’ multistate criminal background.
Williams’ background includes hundreds of Florida charges from his youth, a Texas drug possession conviction, and a Sioux City, Iowa assault accusation earlier this year.
