Sentencing for Kevin German moved again

    For a second time, the sentencing date for Kevin German has been moved back.
    Scheduled to learn his fate Jan. 26, German, 26, will now be sentenced by Judge Patrick Heng on Friday,  Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. in the Chase County Courtroom.
    The continuance was requested Dec. 16 by German’s attorney, Clarence Mock. Judge Heng approved the request Dec. 22.
    Mock stated in an affidavit the additional time was needed for him to review a psychological evaluation of German to be done on Jan. 23.
    Mock said the evaluation would be just three days before the Jan. 26 sentencing, and would not allow enough time for him or the court to review the report to prepare for sentencing.
    Mock stated in his affidavit that in his preparation for the sentencing he learned from multiple family members and friends of the defendant “that at formative ages” German experienced severe trauma “that profoundly affected him psychologically.”
    Mock said it took him and his staff more than a month to secure services of a qualified psychologist to evaluate German.
    The legal team has engaged Dr. Jerry Van Winkle of Kearney whose first available date to meet with German in North Platte’s Lincoln County Jail was Jan. 23.
    After a jury trial last summer, German was convicted of one count of 2nd degree murder in the 2019 death of Annika Swanson, one count of kidnapping and one count of false imprisonment.
    German was originally scheduled for sentencing Nov. 18 along with Keonna Carter, another defendant in the case who agreed to a plea deal and was sentenced that day.
    After German’s attorneys had a conflict with the Nov. 18 date, Judge Heng moved the sentencing to Jan. 26.