Jeffrey Adams pleads not guilty

Jeffrey Adams pleaded not guilty Thursday to the charge of second degree murder, regarding the Feb. 26 death of his wife, Angela.
Appearing via Zoom, Adams informed Hamilton County District Court Judge Rachel Daugherty of his plea, with advisement of his attorney, Matthew McDonald, who was in the courtroom.
Approximately 45 people attended the brief hearing, many of the attendees being family and friends of the deceased, who embraced in silence outside the courtroom after the brief proceedings had concluded.
After the not guilty plea had been entered, McDonald sought to have the defendant’s bond reduced. The judge denied that request, though did allow a condition to be added with agreement of Hamilton County Attorney Doug Dexter, who is acting as state’s attorney in the case. Given the seriousness of the charge, as a condition of bond Dexter asked that there be no contact allowed between the defendant and the victim’s family.
Daugherty allowed that condition, leaving bond at the amount set during the preliminary hearing, which was 10 percent of $1 million. If he is able to post said bond he will be released, under the conditions that he not consume any alcohol or drugs (may be subjected to testing), will have no contact with the vicitim’s family, will possess no deadly weapons and stay in Nebraska.
McDonald also advised the judge during his request to reduce the bond that there was information left out of the affidavit. He said the defendant admitted to hitting the victim, leaving her injured, lying on the ground in their Marquette home, though added that “the reason he hit her is that she hit him first,” McDonald said.
Adams faces a Class 1B felony charge for the intentional death of his wife, without premeditation. If found guilty, he will face a sentence of 20 years to life in prision. If he does not post bond he will remain in custody at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.
Daugherty set the next hearing for June 1, and announced a trial date of July 12, beginning at 9 a.m. A motion regarding a DUI charge facing Adams will also be heard June 1.

Case background
The Nebraska State Patrol, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Hamilton County Attorney reported details at a Feb. 28 preliminary hearing regarding the investigation of a homicide that occurred in Marquette the previous weekend.
The investigation began at approximately 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, when the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at a residence of 502 Carnahan St. in Marquette. Inside the home, the Sheriff’s Office located a deceased woman, identified as Angela Adams, age 49. The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol.
Investigators learned that Adams had been with her husband, Jeffrey Adams, that Saturday evening, but he was not at the home when authorities arrived to investigate the incident. A short time later, Jeffrey Adams arrived at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in. He was arrested by Nebraska State Patrol investigators.
Investigators have determined that the incident began with an argument, during which Jeffrey Adams struck Angela Adams multiple times. Jeffrey Adams then left the home.
Adams, 47, has been lodged in Hamilton County Jail for second degree murder since that time. The investigation remains ongoing.
Adams was employed with Hamilton County as the planning and zoning coordinator, a position she filled in May of 2022. She previously served as the Marquette village clerk.
Adams and her husband have nine children.