A 19-year-old O’Neill man, originally accused of 11 criminal charges alleged April 9, 2023, has been found competent to stand trial.

During Sept. 25, 2023, arraignment proceedings in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill, after the entry of a guilty plea to amended charges, the Honorable Mark Kozisek questioned defendant Ethan J. Peterson’s competency and ordered an evaluation.

Following the evaluation by a Norfolk specialist, Kozisek found Peterson is competent and the matter proceeded to a plea hearing Jan. 8. A plea bargain with Holt County prosecutor Brent Kelly was announced, wher...