State v. Bruna

I. INTRODUCTION

Pursuant to a jury verdict, Jay E. Bruna was convicted in the district court for Sarpy County of first degree sexual assault on a child and sentenced to 15 to 50 years in prison. Bruna appeals, alleging that the trial court committed numerous prejudicial errors and that Bruna’s trial counsel was ineffective in several respects. Although we conclude that these matters lack merit regarding the pretrial motions and trial proceedings, we find merit in the error assigned regarding the trial judge’s sentencing comments.

II. BACKGROUND

The information asserted one charge of first degree…