Gipfert trial is set for mid-June

Though realizing both sides need a bit more time to finish their respective depositions, Cheyenne County District Judge Derek Weimer this morning set June 17 as the start of what looks to be a week-long trial in the child-abuse case against Nancy Gipfert.

“I have a myriad of trail dates in the summer,” Weimer told the court. “This needs to get to trial.”

Gipfert, 55, Sidney, is charged with one count of Class II felony intentional child abuse.

Her attorney, Donald Miller, requested a continuance in the case during this morning’s status hearing.

Bill Tangeman of the Attorney General’s Office, who is prosecuting the case, appeared telephonically and did not object to the request.

Both sides informed Weimer they are making progress on getting depositions.

“We’re making progress,” Miller said of the defense. “We have three completed, and we’ve got some scheduled for March 15 and 18. But we’re not prepared for a trial.”

Tangeman offered similar opinions.

Weimer then asked both sides how long each expected the trial to last before ruling. Both agreed that the case could take from seven to eight days.

“With the medical testimony, and all the publicity this has received, we’re probably looking at a week or more,” Miller added.

Weimer set the case to begin June 17 at 8:30 a.m., with a status hearing scheduled for May 1 at 8:30 a.m. At that time, proposals for juror questionnaires can be heard.

A pre-trial hearing was set for June 3, which is the last date in which a change of plea can be entered.

Gipfert faces one count of abuse, in that she was in charge of an in-home daycare facility on Sept. 13, 2011, when a (then) two-year-old child had been allegedly injured while in her care.

The injured child was then taken to Sidney Regional Medical Center (then known as Memorial Health Center), to be treated for what was termed “abusive head trauma.”

The child was in need of more intensive care, and was eventually air-transported to a Denver hospital.

Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services later stripped Gipfert of her child-care license, and also delivered an emergency order prohibiting Gipfert from providing care to any child other than her own.

Weimer, who at times grimaced while looking at his upcoming docket, was adamant on the aforementioned set dates, while allowing time for both sides to wrap up their respective discoveries.

“This is going to trial June 17,” Weimer said. “When we meet May 1, I need to know that both sides have wrapped up what needs to be done.”