Arnett arraigned on 6 counts related to stabbing

An Aurora man was arraigned on six counts Tuesday related to a multiple stabbing that resulted in the death of his step-father and the wounding of two other people early Saturday morning in Aurora. 
Caleb Arnett, 29, appeared in Hamilton County Court before Fifth District Judge Lynelle Homolka Tuesday morning to face charges related to the death of Ross Nickolaus and the wounding of his mother, Theresa Arnett Nickolaus, and a juvenile. 
Arnett was accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Robert Kortes of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy as he listened to the charges being lodged against him by the state, represented by Hamilton County Attorney Douglas Dexter. 
As read out by Dexter and repeated by the judge, the charges include: Count 1: The premeditated murder of Ross Nickolas (a Class 1A felony); Count 2: The use of a knife or other deadly weapon in the commission of a felony (a Class 2 felony); Count 3: First-degree assault on Theresa Nickolas with intent to do serious bodily injury; Count 4: The use of a knife or other deadly weapon in the commission of a felony; Count 5: Assault in the first degree related to the stabbing of the minor and; Count 6: The use of a knife or other deadly weapon in the commission of a felony (also related to the stabbing of the minor child). 
Judge Homolka advised Arnett of his right to present evidence in his defense at a preliminary hearing and Kortes requested a status hearing prior to a preliminary hearing. The status hearing was set for Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m. 
The judge set Arnett’s bond at 10 percent of $2 million and remanded the defendant to the custody of the sheriff. 
Arnett’s only statements during the hearing were to say he understood the charges against him and to ask for a trial on the charges. 
According to a press release from the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), which has taken charge of the investigation, the incident was reported to the Hamilton County Dispatch Center at 1:20 a.m. Saturday. The caller reported that a stabbing had occurred at a residence in the 100 block of Fairview Drive in Aurora. 
Upon arrival at the address, officers located an adult female with significant injuries in the driveway of a neighboring house. Officers then located Arnett, who was reportedly holding a knife at the residence referenced in the 911 call. 
Arnett complied with officers’ commands and was taken into custody. A search of the residence then revealed two additional victims inside the home. All three victims were transported to the hospital suffering from stab wounds. 
Ross Nickolaus was pronounced dead at the hospital. Theresa Nickolaus was later transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha with serious injuries. Her condition is unknown at this time. The third victim was treated for minor injuries and released.
Arnett was transported to the hospital and treated for minor injuries suffered prior to officers’ arrival and then was taken to the Hamilton County Jail.
The Aurora Police Department requested that the Nebraska State Patrol lead the homicide investigation, which remains ongoing.