After receiving a prison sentence on March 26 in Scotts Bluff County District Court, former Box Butte County Public Defender Jon Worthman filed a notice of his intent to appeal the judgment rendered.
Worthman, who was found guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, was sentenced to serve three years in prison, the mandatory minimum sentence in the case, by Judge Richard Birch. At his sentencing, a hearing was conducted on the request for a new trial based on new charges that were filed against Jeff Lujan, who testified against Worthman at trial. Worthman’s attorney, Maren Chaloupka argued that the charges that were filed against Lujan are a cause to question his credibility.
Judge Birch denied the request for a new trial and proceeded with the sentencing. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Chaloupka indicated that Worthman was planning to appeal the decision.
On April 23, Chaloupka filed a motion to be appointed as counsel for the appeal, noting in the filing that she has represented Worthman since the day after his arrest.