BEATRICE, Neb. - Gage County District Judge Rick Schreiner issued a ruling Monday regarding inmate communications in the case of 53-year-old Christopher Milke.

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Milke is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Tammy Leslie.

During court proceedings, it was disclosed that Milke may have had phone contact from jail on Friday, Feb. 6, with two individuals identified as potential witnesses. The state entered into evidence one text message and four recorded phone calls for the court’s review.

Around noon Monday, Judge Schreiner ordered that Milke is to have no contact of any kind from the jail—other than communication with his attorneys—until the jury begins deliberations and returns a verdict.

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