S-24-0378 State of Nebraska (Appellee) v. Adam L. Price (Appellant)
Appeal from the District Court for Sarpy County, Judge George A. Thompson
Attorneys: April L. O’Loughlin and Cole S. Burmeister (Deputy Sarpy County Public Defenders for Appellant) and Nathan A. Liss (Asst. Attorney General for Appellee)
Criminal: Life imprisonment for first-degree murder
Proceedings below: A jury found Appellant guilty of two (2) counts of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to consecutive terms of life imprisonment. Life imprisonment cases are direct appeals to the Supreme Court.
Issues: Appellant assigns the following errors: 1) The trial court erred when it overruled the Appellant’s Motions to suppress statements made to the Bellevue and Pacifica Police Departments in violation of Miranda because the statements were not knowingly, intelligently, or voluntarily made, they were not freely and voluntarily given, and that the Appellant invoked his right to remain silent; 2) The trial court erred when it overruled Appellant’s Motions in limine as related to the testimony of Father Foley and Father D’Aquila because their testimony violated the Appellant’s priest/penitent privilege; 3) The trial court erred when it overruled the Appellant’s Motion for new trial as a result of the irregularities in the proceedings of the Court, prosecuting Attorney and misconduct of Jurors which ordinary prudence could not have guarded against, and which prevented the Appellant from having a fair trial; 4) The trial court erred in denying Appellant’s Motion for Jury sequestration as a result of media misconduct prior to and during the course of trial tainting the jury to an extent such that the Appellant was prejudiced and did not obtain a fair trial; 5) The trial court erred in overruling Appellant’s objection to expanded news media coverage which coverage prejudiced the Appellant and interfered with the Appellant’s right to a fair trial; 6) The trial court erred in denying the Appellant’s motion in limine prohibiting the State from admitting Officer bodycam footage and 911 calls; 7) The Court erred in denying the Appellant’s Motion for a mistrial after the Appellant suffered a medical emergency and was unable to assist counsel with his defense at trial; and 8) The trial court erred in overruling Appellant’s Motion to determine competency because the trial court failed to comport with the dictates of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-1822 and § 29-1823.