Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Abel Domingo Jeronimo, left, is escorted by Sheriff John Jenson after appearing in Cheyenne County Court for his arraignment on the morning of Thursday, April 9.
A Sidney man accused of leaving the scene of a fatal vehicle crash earlier this month was arraigned in Cheyenne County District Court on Tuesday morning and pleaded not guilty to the single charge against him.
Abel Domingo Jeronimo, 38, of Sidney, is charged with failing to stop, disclose information and render assistance in an accident involving death – a Class III felony.
He is accused of being involved in the fatal crash on April 7 that killed 45-year-old Martin Geiger Jr. of Sidney and Chappell. A passenger in Geiger's vehicle – Kathy Berger, 53, of Bayard and Chappell – was injured. Neither Geiger nor Berger were wearing seat belts, and both were ejected from the truck.
If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a possible fine of $25,000. The minimum penalty is one year imprisonment.
Jeronimo appeared in court with court-appointed lawyer Donald Miller and a translator.
According to court documents, English is Jeronimo's second language. A translator is provided at all hearings and interviews.
After Jeronimo's not guilty plea was entered, Miller requested the defendant's $100,000 bond be reduced.
Miller entered Jeronimo's probable cause affidavit as an exhibit to District Court Judge Derek C. Weimer.
"If the affidavit is accurate, Mr. Jeronimo was not responsible for the accident," Miller said.
Miller said Jeronimo understands someone died in the crash, but he is not a flight risk and bond is not meant to impose punishment.
"The bond appears excessive in this case," he said.
Miller asked that the bond be reduced to $10,000.
Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub said in the state's opinion, Jeronimo is a flight risk.
"Just because English is not his first language, it's not an excuse for not following the law," Schaub told the court.
The county attorney offered Jeronimo's criminal history as a exhibit, which includes a previous conviction for leaving the scene of an accident in 2013.
Because of the nature of the defendant's criminal history, Schaub asked that the bond remain where it is.
After hearing from both sides, Weimer said bond would remain at $100,000 now, but he would revisit it again at the next hearing.
Jeronimo will next appear in court on Wednesday, May 6, at 9 a.m. for a suppression hearing and to set a trial date.
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