Sep
16
Written by:
ngreditor
9/16/2008 4:18 PM
Lucas Nygren pleads guilty to assault
Kenneth Purscell
In a hearing before the District Court last Friday, Lucas Nygren, 21, of Newman Grove, pled guilty to a charge of first degree assault in the death of Rikki Becher last October 7.
In exchange for the plea, Nygren will not face additional charges stemming from the death.
As part of the hearing, Madison County Attorney Joe Smith summarized the investigators’ interviews of witnesses and the pathologist’s report.
The incidents took place at a party at a home in Newman Grove where alcohol was consumed by several underage people.
The witnesses described Nygren striking Becher four separate times, two in the house and two in front of the garage. Witnesses also stated to police that Nygren kicked Becher in the head after Becher had fallen to the ground.
At some point, Becher was dragged from the garage to allow a car to leave.
The assault apparently began around 2:15 am, but help was not sought until much later. Todd Jennings of the Newman Grove Police did not receive his call until 5:15 am.
The only explanation witnesses gave for the delay was that “everyone was under age.”
Smith presented that the Rescue Squad took Becher to the hospital in Albion with no pulse and no EKG. The pathologist’s report indicated that the cause of death had been asphyxiation from regurgitated stomach contents.
However, Smith stated, the blows to Becher’s head were the direct cause of the regurgitation. “Whatever the cause,” he said, “but for the blows to the head, death would not have occurred.”
Defense counsel called this a “very liberal and selective interpretation of the facts and the doctor’s testimony.” However, the defense raised no formal objection to the reading of the facts and the exhibits entered.
Judge Patrick Rogers found that there was factual basis for the charge and accepted the plea.
First degree assault is a Class III felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $25 thousand fine or both. The minimum sentence is 1 year. The state is also able to seek restitution.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 10 at 9:15 am. Nygren was released on bond.