Nearly four years after a summer killing rampage, a three judge panel sentenced Nikko Jenkins to death four times for four murders. Additionally, he received up to 500 years in prison for his remaining counts.
Jenkins, 30, was convicted of killing three men and a young mother -- Juan Uribe-Pena, Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz, Curtis Bradford and Andrea Kruger -- in 2013.
The families of two of the four victims sat quietly in the courtroom and listened intently as Judge Peter Battalion explained the process and how the three-judge panel reached its decision.
The murders, which occurred over a 10-day span, were planned and deliberate, Battalion said. "This is one of the worst killing sprees in the history of this state," he added.
Six aggravating factors were weighed, Battalion said, such as Jenkins' previous history of violent crimes, against mitigating factors, such as his mental health diagnosis.
Surrounded by six deputies, Jenkins sat quietly Tuesday, which surprised prosecutors, who noted his tendency for outbursts in the courtroom. In total, he was convicted of 12 counts: four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and four counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person.
The parents of Andrea Kruger said they feel a sense of relief.
"We're just glad it's over with. It's been a long time. Too long," Kent Roberts, Andrea's father said. "It's ridiculous (the length of the process) but that's the way the court system works."
Bradford's mother, said Jenkins has had control over her life for four years and now she can be free.
"I don't want to hear his name. I don't have to anymore. He don't (sic) get the glory today. I get the glory. My family gets the glory and God gets the glory," Velita Glasgow said.
She wore a t-shirt with the last picture taken of her son wrapped in angel's wings on it.
"I'll never forget him and I'll love him forever but it's time for me to heal and I'm ready. I'm ready for peace," Glasgow said.
Following the sentencing, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said he thought the judges followed the law appropriately.
"I think the court looked at all the evidence and there wasn't any question as to what the appropriate sentence would be in these circumstances," Kleine said.
Jenkins will be Nebraska's 11th man on death row, but Kleine said it could be years before he's executed.
In Nebraska, a death penalty sentence is automatically appealed.
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