Judge rules death penalty still possible for man accused of killing Nebraska couple, unborn child

LINCOLN, Neb. —

A district court judge in Lancaster County ruled the death penalty is still on the table for the man accused of killing a Nebraska couple and their unborn child.

Sterling James is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree murder of an unborn child and tampering with evidence in the deaths of Hannah Neville and Roberto Tanner.

If convicted, James could face the death penalty. In April, James’ defense team filed a motion to quash the death penalty in the case, contesting the constitutionality of Nebraska’s death penalty statutes.

On Wednesday, the judge overruled the motion and said the death penalty is not unconstitutional.

James is Tanner’s half-brother. Five other suspects have been charged in connection with the case, including James’s wife, Sayde Titus.

MORE DETAILS: Court documents reveal new details in deaths of Nebraska couple

According to court documents, a witness told investigators James admitted to shooting Tanner several times as he ran away on a dirt road. The witness also told investigators that James admitted he shot Neville twice while she was in a car.

James is scheduled to appear in court next on July 22.

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