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Man accused of killing Fort Calhoun priest held without bail; authorities share few new details

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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Man accused of killing Fort Calhoun priest held without bail; authorities share few new details

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Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson and Washington County Attorney Scott Vander Schaaf speak following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair, Neb., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

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The 43-year-old man accused of breaking into a Fort Calhoun rectory and stabbing a priest to death last weekend appeared in court for the first time Thursday. 

Suspect Kierre Williams appears on a video conference call for his arraignment on charges related to the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

ANNA REED, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

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Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson speaks following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

ANNA REED, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

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Williams

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Washington County Attorney Scott Vander Schaaf speaks following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

ANNA REED, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

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Kierre Williams mugshot from the Florida Department of Corrections. Taken between 2007 and 2011. 

Florida Department of Corrections

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Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson (left) and Washington County Attorney Scott Vander Schaaf speak following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

ANNA REED, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

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Photos: Washington County Sheriff's office investigates scene of fatal stabbing of priest

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died. 

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. Sheriff Mike Robinson said a man is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. Sheriff Mike Robinson said the Rev. Stephen Gutgsell called 911 about 5 a.m. to report someone was attempting to break in to the rectory. 

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, had been at the church for 11 years, a parishioner said Sunday. 

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, was pronounced dead at the Nebraska Medical Center. 

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

A Douglas County Crime Scene technician carries a bag to his truck as the Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

A Douglas County Crime Scene technician carries a bag to his truck as the Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. 

NIKOS FRAZIER, Omaha WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

Erik Petersen, chief deputy county attorney, left, and Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson walk to their cars as the Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER THE WORLD-HERALD

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigates the scene of a fatal stabbing of a Catholic priest in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun on Sunday. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police say a person is in custody.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Crime scene tape is seen strewn across the garage doors to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Rectory in Fort Calhoun on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. Rev. Stephen Gutgsell died early Sunday after being stabbed in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church. Kierre L. Williams, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, was taken into custody at the scene and later arrested on suspicion of homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

A look at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. Rev. Stephen Gutgsell died early Sunday after being stabbed in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church. Kierre L. Williams, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, was taken into custody at the scene and later arrested on suspicion of homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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121523-owh-new-priest-ar01.JPG

Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson (left) and Washington County Attorney Scott Vander Schaaf speak following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson speaks following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

Washington County Attorney Scott Vander Schaaf speaks following the arraignment of suspect Kierre Williams in the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

Suspect Kierre Williams appears on a video conference call for his arraignment on charges related to the murder of Father Stephen Gutgsell at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair on Thursday.

Kierre Williams mugshot from the Florida Department of Corrections. Taken between 2007 and 2011. 

Williams

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