Attorney General Jon Bruning

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   Contact: Holley Hatt

June 15, 2007 4:00pm CDT                                                     402.471.2067

Bruning Secures Conviction in

Pawnee County Homicide

(Lincoln, NE) Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced Patrick Schroeder, 29, of Dubois was convicted of first degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and forgery in Richardson County District Court. The case was transferred to Richardson County after a jury in Pawnee County failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

“Mr. Schroeder is a cold-blooded killer who belongs in prison,” Bruning said. “This conviction finally puts an end to a troubling year for the residents of Pawnee County.”

On April 14, 2006, Schroeder murdered his former employer, Kenneth Albers of Pawnee City, while attempting to rob him at his home. Albers died of blunt force trauma to the head. Albers’ body was later found in an abandoned well on Albers’ property southwest of Pawnee City.

The forgery charges stem from an April 10 incident when Schroeder stole a checkbook from Albers, forged Albers’ signature on a check, and cashed it.

Schroeder’s sentencing hearing will be held at 9 a.m. on Aug. 13, in Pawnee County District Court. First degree murder is a class I felony, punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole. The other counts, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and forgery, are class III felonies, and each carry sentences of one to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Assistant Attorneys General Doug Warner and Jeff Gaertig are handling the case.

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