Feddersen Trial Begins in District Court

Jackson Feddersen of Sidney went on trial in Cheyenne County District Court Wednesday, charged with robbery and burglary.

Four additional felony charges, stemming from an Aug. 31, 2017 incident, were dismissed by Judge Derek Weimer Monday.

Nine women and three men on the jury, plus two alternates, heard opening arguments from attorneys, followed by testimony from witnesses and law enforcement officers assigned to the case.

Among those testifying was the alleged victim of the crime, Ryan Stettner, who said two or three individuals entered his home in the early morning hours of Aug. 31. Stettner testified he woke up when he was struck in the face by an assailant. He said he was struck by a “shorter male,” while a taller male stood by his bed with knife in hand. He said he thought another individual or individuals were involved because he thought he heard noise coming from another room.

Stettner said he was struck several times with a crow bar and as he fought with his attacker, he ripped a mask off that person’s head and identified the individual as Feddersen. Stettner said Fedderson then “choked him out,” and he lost consciousness.

When Stettner came to, he said his bedroom was in disarray, with drawers to his dresser pulled out. He reported $3,000 that he had taken out from the bank the previous afternoon had been taken from a jar in one of the drawers.

In cross examination, defense attorney Don Miller asked Stettner about what Miller felt were inconsistencies in Stettner’s statements over the days following, including the number of assailants and Stettner’s injuries. Miller’s questions addressed widely varied reports on the severity of injuries, made by Stettner to other individuals.

Among those testifying in the trial’s opening day were police officers called to the scene. Jurors were shown photos of Stettner’s home and of his body, taken at the hospital following the alledged attack.

The trial is scheduled to run through today.