Local Court News, (Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A Omaha man will be sentenced in the case of a fatal 2022 shooting in Kearney after the court denied his motion to withdraw his plea deal.
Romeo Chambers, 28, had initially been charged with second degree murder, a Class 1B felony, use of a firearm to commit a felony, Class 1C felony, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Class 1D felony, first degree assault, Class 2 felony, second degree assault, Class 2A felony and use of a firearm to commit a felony, a Class 2A felony.
In February, Chambers accepted a plea deal where he plea no contest to amended charges of manslaughter, first degree assault and second-degree assault. All the other charges were dismissed by the court.
Later, Chambers filed a motion to withdraw his plea deal, he alleged he had been pressured by his prior legal counsel into accepting the plea.
In his ruling, Buffalo County District Court Judge John Marsh said that Chambers had not met his burden of proof and the motion to withdraw the plea was overruled.
The sentencing date was then scheduled for July 28, at 9 a.m.
According to a press release from the Kearney Police Department, “On Sunday, January 16, 2022, at approximately 8:38pm KPD responded to the 800 block of West 23rd street to investigate a report of gunshots in the area. Investigation revealed one person was deceased and two other subjects had been shot in an attempted robbery.”
“The deceased was identified as Jared M. Shinpaugh,31, of Lexington. One victim, identified as Joseph Garcia, 29, of Lexington, was treated and released at Good Samaritan Hospital for a gunshot wound. It was later discovered that a resident, Joshua Morris, 18, of Kearney, was also shot during the attempted Robbery,” per the KPD.
“In March of 2022, Kearney Police Investigators requested and obtained a felony arrest warrant for Romeo Chambers related to this case,” the KPD stated.
Chambers was located and arrested on Jan. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz., The KPD was notified by Phoenix Police after Chambers was arrested for trespassing in an apartment.
Chambers was also wanted in connection with a shooting/attempted murder on Sept. 9, 2023 in Denver, Colo.
