(Sarpy County, NE) -- Two teens accused of nearly killing a man in Bellevue make their first court appearance.
Monday morning, 18 year olds Gabriella Laws and Joshua Fithian appeared in Sarpy County court. Investigators say they believe the pair beat Gabriella's 59 year old father, Robert Laws, in the head with a meat tenderizer in January.
Both are facing five charges each, including first-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Bond was set at $1 million for each of them. Laws is scheduled to appear in court on June 1st. She and her public defender noted in the court appearance on Monday that she is pregnant.
During his court appearance, Fithian broke down crying as the charges against him were read.
According to the operations manager with Sarpy County Public Defender’s Office, Shannon Eustice, Fithian was appointed to the Alternate Public Defender because he is a co-defendant of Laws. Eustice said, “our office wouldn’t be able to represent them both since they are charged with committing a crime together.”
(Photo by WOWT 6 News)