Man accused of killing stepfather at Columbus Walmart is silent when asked for plea

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man accused of killing his stepfather outside of a Nebraska Walmart has pleaded not guilty.

Manuel Mesa-Cabrera did not say anything Thursday when a judge asked for his plea in Platte County District Court.

When a defendant is mute, the court enters a not guilty plea on his or her behalf.

Mesa-Cabrera is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony.

On May 27, court documents say he went with his stepfather, Anhil Mirabal Hernandez, to the Columbus Walmart under the pretense of buying a vehicle part.

His stepfather walked in front of him toward the service doors, according to an arrest affidavit, and Mesa-Cabrera called out to him.

When Mirabal Hernandez turned around, police said Mesa-Cabrera took a handgun from his waistband and shot him once in the torso and once in the head.

The affidavit says Mesa-Cabrera had been having homicidal thoughts for the last couple years, and they got worse in the days leading up to the shooting.

Investigators said the crime was captured on Walmart’s surveillance cameras.

And a 9 mm handgun was found in the glove compartment of Mesa-Cabrera’s Jeep.

Mesa-Cabrera’s next court hearing is set for Sept. 29, with a jury trial scheduled for Oct. 6.