Defendant still seeks counsel

A status hearing was held this morning at the Cheyenne County Courthouse for the State of Nebraska’s case against Gurley resident Justin J. Warren.

Warren faces a Class IC felony count for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver or distribute within 1,000 feet of a playground.

According to court documents the methamphetamine was found during a search by chief deputy Fred Wiedeburg and investigator Zach Goodrich of Warren’s bedroom on Friday, March 22.

The authorities entered the home of Shirley Brewer to execute a search warrant they had for the premises.

Documents indicate that chief deputy Adam Hollingshead stayed with Brewer as Wiedeburg and Goodrich began to search the house.

The deputy and investigator found Warren in the southeast basement bedroom and secured him. The authorities then discovered numerous cellophane bags.

One bag later tested positive for containing marijuana, others were empty, and one contained a white crystal substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

Warren claimed ownership of the bedroom and said that he was its sole occupant.

The white crystal substance was field-tested later and tested positive for 12.2 grams of methamphetamine (including packaging.)

Warren was transported by authorities to Sidney Regional Medical Center where he was treated for a self-inflicted injury to his right hand. He was then escorted to Cheyenne County Jail.

In recent court appearances this April defense attorney Thomas Sonntag was appointed to Warren’s case.

Sonntag moved to withdraw as attorney in the matter however because the defendant requested representation by “a more zealous attorney,” according to court documents.

This morning Warren told Cheyenne County Judge Randin Roland, the presiding judge for the case, that he planned on hiring Omaha attorney Kelly Breen but was told that the court denied him the right to said attorney.

“I was told you denied me that right. So I’m here to fight for him today,” said Warren.

Roland informed Warren that the court did not deny him his rights to the attorney, but said instead that Breen usually does not take private cases and instead works through the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy.

Warren indicated that if Breen would not take the case then he has an attorney out of Scottsbluff that he would like to hire.

Warren couldn’t remember the attorney’s full name at the time of the hearing.

Warren continued that since it is a case of fighting for his freedom he would like the right to appoint the attorney that represents him.

Roland said that Breen would be contacted today and would be asked as to whether he could take the case or not.

The judge explained that Warren would be contacted later in the day and would be told what Breen had said.

Warren’s bond is set at $250,000 and Roland set the case to be continued on April 18 at 3:15 p.m.

The date is subject to change however once a defense attorney is appointed.