Trial of Joshua Keadle Beginning This Week
Trial involving missing Peru State student getting underway in Gage County District Court
By News Channel Nebraska
BEATRICE - The trial of Joshua Keadle, charged with murder in the disappearance of former Peru State College student Tyler Thomas, is getting underway with jury selection, Monday.
Around 80 prospective jurors will be screened by the state and defense for the trial, expected to last up to three weeks. The trial was moved from Nemaha County to Gage County, after the defense was granted a motion for change of venue.
Tyler Thomas was last seen by friends early on December 3rd, 2010. Declared legally dead in 2013, her body has never been found.
The 38-year-old Keadle is currently serving a 15-to-20 year sentence for first-degree sexual assault, from Dodge County.
Gage County citizens will be subject to increased security procedures at the Gage County Courthouse, with screening taking place on the ground floor of the building, using a single entrance to the courthouse. Normally, a screening station is located on the third floor of the buildings, where county and district courts are located.