BEATRICE – Three men charged in the alleged burglary of a Tecumseh home and attempted assault of the owner, have new hearing dates set in Johnson County District Court.

District Judge Rick Schreiner has set February 18^th pretrial hearings for 51-year-old Kenneth Bridgewater, 26-year-old Kolton Bridgewater and 21-year-old Levi Bridgewater.

Investigators and prosecutors allege that on May 10^th of last year, they went to the North Fourth Street Tecumseh home of Raymond Brown, with the intent to assault him. They allege Levi Bridgewater was armed with a knife, and forcefully entered the home. They say Brown shot Levi and Kolton Bridgewater in self-defense.

Both men survived their wounds. All three men charged have pleaded not guilty.

Kenneth Bridgewater is charged with burglary, attempt of a felony, a terroristic threat, criminal mischief and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. Kolton Bridgewater is charged with burglary, a terroristic threat and attempt of a felony. Levi Bridgewater is charged with burglary, attempt of a felony and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

In the case of Kenneth Bridgewater, settlement discussions are being held between the state and defense.

A Nebraska State Patrol investigation indicated Raymond Brown had received threatening phone calls, allegedly from Kolton Bridgewater that he was going to assault Brown. During the altercation at the Tecumseh home, Brown fired multiple shots, and seized a gun allegedly held by Kenneth Bridgewater, taking it away from him.

The three defendants and Brown all were employed at the same company and had been laid off with all other employees of the company, the same week of the altercation. The investigation had found that there were hard feelings between different groups of employees, because of recent and past work-related events.