Ferguson arraigned in District Court; next hearing in August

It’s been seven months since the shooting, but Tristan Ferguson’s felony manslaughter case is moving through the system.

Ferguson, 20, was arraigned in Chase County (Nebraska) District Court last Thursday on two felony charges stemming from the death of Jesse Krausnick, 19, who died in November 2022.

Ferguson, who is out on bond, is charged with manslaughter, a Class 2A felony, and possession of a firearm in committing a felony, a Class 2 felony. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

County Attorney Joel Burke, who is prosecuting the case, said a pretrial hearing has been set for the case on Aug. 24. Attorneys are to provide discovery ahead of that date, he said.

Ferguson’s attorneys have withdrawn their client’s Plea of Abatement.

Krausnick died Nov. 25, 2022, at Chase County Community Hospital after the Thanksgiving night shooting that occurred at a rental home on West 12th Street in Imperial, Nebraska, where Ferguson lived.

Ferguson was taken into custody during the early morning hours Nov. 25 by Imperial police. Nebraska State Patrol investigators were on scene within hours.

At an April 12 hearing in Chase County Court, State Patrol Lead Investigator on the case, Jared Connelly of North Platte, said Ferguson admitted to picking up the shotgun, pointing it at Krausnick and pulling the trigger. Ferguson told the officer he didn’t believe the gun was loaded at the time, according to Connelly’s testimony.

An autopsy concluded Krausnick died of a shotgun wound to the neck.

Ferguson bonded out of the Chase County Jail the day after the shooting after posting 10% of his $100,000 bond.