Judge denies request to show communication between AG’s Office and Gov. Ricketts regarding death penalty case

In a bid to find out why his client, Aubrey Trail, is potentially facing the death penalty, his attorney Ben Murray asked the state to prove Governor Pete Ricketts wasn’t behind it.

“The Governor and his family paid money to fund a ballot initiative to bring it back and we want to make sure there were no additional influences,” Murray said.

Murray represents Trail, one of two people accused of killing 24-year-old Sydney Loofe.

Murray asked a judge in the Saline County District Court to have the state show all communications between the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and the Governor.

The judge denied the request.

“I was surprised at how vehemently the state objected, I thought they’d just say there’s nothing to turn over,” Murray said.

The judge said it was too early to make that request and could file the motion again if Trail is sentenced, but Murray thinks that won’t happen. He also said he doesn’t think this is a death penalty case.

“It needs to be premeditated murder, and from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t look that way,” Murray said.

He said this despite there being video of Trail and Bailey Boswell, who’s also facing charges related to Loofe’s death, buying supplies used in the alleged murder.

“I still think we have a good case,” Murray said.

Governor Pete Rickett’s office said they can’t comment on pending litigation.

Trail’s trial is set to start June 17th- Murray said he thinks it will last less than a month and draw a big crowd.

“This is going to be unlike anything most people have ever heard about,” Murray said.”Just the lifestyles of these people is going to be fascinating to some.”