Olson Pleads Guilty to Cuming County Murder

WEST POINT – A northeast Nebraska man will be sentenced next year after admitting his involvement in a fatal stabbing in 2017.

50-year old Jody Olson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday in Cuming County district court. Olson’s plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors, who dropped three other charges in return.

Prosecutors said that Olson has also agreed to testify for them in the trial of Olson’s co-defendant and son, Derek Olson, in his murder trial next March. If Jody Olson holds up is end of the bargain, prosecutors say they will recommend a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years.

It all stems from the November 2017 death of Ernest P. Warnock at his rural Bancroft resident. Olson said in court Friday that he, his son Derek, and two others went to Warnock’s residence to retrieve some items.

Olson said a fight broke out, during which he says Warnock stabbed him in the arm. Olson said his son Derek then jumped in, stabbing Warnock and hitting him in the head with a hammer.

Prosecutors said in court that the co-defendants returned to the scene of the crime the following day and attempted to burn Warnock’s home down.

Derek Olson’s trial is scheduled for March. He also faces charges of second-degree murder, along with arson and a felony weapon count. Two others implicated in the case – Becky Weitzenkamp and Jenna Merrill – have already admitted their involvement in court. Weitzenkamp is serving a sentence of 18 to 20 years in prison. Merrill will be sentenced in February.

Jody Olson’s sentencing has been scheduled for April 4th.

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