STERLING — Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a couple accused of killing the man’s grandparents so he could get his inheritance.
District Attorney Brittny Lewton said Friday that Brendan Lee Johnson, now 20, and 18-year-old Cassandra Ann Rieb are charged with 14 and 13 felony counts, respectively, including two counts of first-degree murder in the May deaths of Charles and Shirley Severance, both 70.
Arrest affidavits show both teens told police they planned to kill Johnson’s grandparents by smothering them with pillows as they slept, but the older couple fought back.
Police say Rieb told them Johnson wanted to inherit their small house and $20,000 from their checking account.
Police say the teens dumped some of Shirley Severance’s remains near Sterling and others about 30 miles away in Lorenzo, Neb. Police discovered Charles Severance’s body in his home.
Johnson’s next court appearance will be Oct. 27, and Rieb’s will be Sept. 19.
Because of a court-issued order regarding pretrial publicity, the 13th Judicial District attorney’s office said no more information will be released.
Johnson’s lawyer, Rachel Lanzen, didn’t immediately return a call to The Associated Press.
Rieb’s attorney, Thor Bauer, said he was unaware of the death penalty decision and couldn’t comment.
