Eighty-nine-year-old man faces judge for protection order violation

Denis F. Kerkman, 89, of Tilden faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 17, to be arraigned on a Class 1 misdemeanor, violation of a protection order. If convicted, Kerkman faces a potential penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment.

Kerkman requested court-appointed counsel, specifically asking for Martin Klein. Taylor initially appointed Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, but as Kerkman appeared to misunderstand her multiple times, she finally asked Abler if he had any objection to appointing Klein. With no objection, she...