Final suspect in Nebraska illegal abortion case appears in court

MADISON COUNTY, Neb. (WOWT) – The ultimate suspect in a weird abortion case in northeast Nebraska appeared in court docket Friday.

The case is of a then 17-year-old woman allegedly conspiring together with her mom to get drugs to abort a 29-week-old fetus in Norfolk.

Jessica Burgess is the mom of the teenager, now 18 years outdated, that allegedly ordered abortion drugs on the web.

The fetus was aborted in its twenty ninth week. The state permits abortions for as much as 20 weeks.

In district court docket in Madison, Nebraska, her legal professional Brad Ewald requested for a continuance.

“There’s clearly some discovery nonetheless occurring,” Ewald stated. “As well as, I imagine the state has filed calling for a 104 listening to.”

A 104 listening to offers with admitting proof right into a legal case.

Prosecutor Matthew Kiernan on the prosecution’s movement:

“At that listening to, the state shall be providing two DVDs with some photographs and video proof,” Kiernan stated. “I suggest to have these not less than marked immediately and supply them to the court docket in order that it will probably not less than be reviewed earlier than we’ve got the listening to. I’ve supplied copies to the protection council.”

Kiernan advised choose Mark A. Johnson the DVDs include a police officer’s physique digital camera video and a collection of nonetheless pictures.

Courtroom paperwork lay out extra proof.

A search warrant asking for computer systems, telephones and digital gadgets on the Burgess residence, the place Jessica and Celeste each reside.

A social media search turned up conversations between the mom and daughter final April the place they talk about getting abortion drugs on the web to terminate the being pregnant.

Jessica messaged “It got here immediately,” and “what I ordered final month.”

Celeste answered again “Bear in mind we burn the proof…as soon as every thing is out”

Jessica replies “yep.”

Celeste advised investigators her child was stillborn on April 29.

Courtroom paperwork state she positioned the physique in a bag and in a field, putting it behind a cargo van.

They have been then assisted by 22-year-old Tanner Barnhill who advised investigators how the Burgesses tried to cover the physique.

The suspects then burned the fetus and tried to hide it by burying it in a secluded space a number of miles north of Norfolk.

Each he and Celeste confirmed investigators the place the physique was buried. Choose Johnson granted the protection a continuance to view the DVDs and file any counter motions.

In the meantime, Jessica Burgess stays out on bond.

She had nothing to say whereas leaving the courthouse.

Tanner Barnhill was given 9 months probation for his half within the incident.

Jessica Burgess is due again in court docket Oct. 6 for the motions mentioned in court docket Friday.

Her pre-trial court docket date is Nov. 4, and may the case go to a jury, that trial is ready for Dec. 12.

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