Tort claim filed over murder-suicide last year, near Blue Springs
BEATRICE – The attorney representing the family of a woman killed in a murder-suicide nearly one year ago, has filed a $25 million tort claim against Gage County Attorney Roger Harris.
Attorney Dustin Garrison filed the claim Friday with the Gage County Clerk’s office, over the death of Brooke Koch, April 6th, 2021. Koch was shot and killed by her estranged partner, Jason Arnold, near Blue Springs.
Garrison says in the claim that Arnold had a history of threatening Koch with violence and had been enrolled in diversion following the filing of criminal offenses. Garrison said Arnold was arrested and charged a second time, posted bond and was released. The claim alleges that although Arnold was terminated from diversion, the county attorney did not refile charges against Arnold.
The claim against the county attorney charges gross negligence and seeks $25 million, for failing to refile charges against Arnold. Gage County Attorney Roger Harris declined comment on the filing. There is a six-month period in which to accept or deny the claim or take no action on it. The claim was addressed to the Gage County Board of Supervisors.
Gage County Sheriff’s Officers and the Nebraska State Patrol responded to a 911 call at a house along Oak Road in April of last year, near Blue Springs.
Investigators found 49-year-old Jason Arnold and 40-year-old Brooke Koch, both of Blue Springs, dead when they arrived. The State Patrol says Arnold had a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Koch was found inside the home.
Arnold had earlier failed to appear in Gage County Court for a violation of a protection order that prohibited him from contact with Koch.