PLATTSMOUTH – After months of delay, Travis Meisinger, 19, will face trial Aug. 5 on assault charges. Meisinger is accused of beating Tony Premo baseball bat Sept. 9 of last year. Two other defendants, Anthony Houchin and Joshua Hauschild are also accused of taking part in the assault.
Cass County attorney Nathan Cox said he is offering "use immunity" to Hauschild and Houchin in order to use their testimony against Meisinger. Cox said this does not mean they will be free from prosecution.
"This means I can’t use their statements against them at some future trial on the issue," Cox said. "It doesn’t mean that they are walking away from this at all."
A jury will here the case. Cox expects it to take until about noon to select the jury. He anticipates calling "about a dozen" witnesses, including Premo, who is continuing to recover from injuries received in the assault which left him in a coma and with a broken arm. He has returned to work at A-1 Heating and Air. He said he would meet with Cox to discuss the trial Aug. 4. The trial is expected to last two or three days.
Plattsmouth Police Chief Brian Paulsen said at a press conference last year that the entire matter took place because of a failed relationship between two teenagers. A skirmish broke out between teens from Weeping Water and from Plattsmouth at the Premo residence at about 1:30 a.m. Sept. 9.
The disturbance woke up Premo and his wife, Tracey. Premo and his wife headed to the front porch of his residence. As he went through the door, Premo was struck in the arm, and then in the head. After an investigation, Meisinger, Houchin and Hauschild were all named as suspects in the case. All three turned themselves in.
Print This Story
Email This Story
