A three-judge panel has been appointed for the case of State of Nebraska v. Jason A. Jones, CR 22 000036, which will be heard in the District Court for Cedar County. Judge Brian Meismer requested this appointment from the Chief Justice, following Nebraska law. Judges Patrick M. Heng from the 11th Judicial District and Timothy P. Burns from the 4th Judicial District were chosen at random to join Meismer on the panel.
These panels usually conduct hearings in the same location as the original trial. The Chief Justice’s Order for Appointment is included with related documents.
The statutes governing such panels and death penalty cases are detailed in Nebraska Revised Statutes §§ 29-2519 to 29-2524.
In Nebraska, judicial power is distributed among several courts including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, and county courts, all under the administrative direction of the Supreme Court. The state's judicial system also includes separate juvenile courts in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties, along with a statewide Workers’ Compensation Court.