Wisner man pleads not guilty to murder charge

WAYNE, Neb. -- Following his arraignment on Wednesday, Carl Ruskamp faces a life sentence for an alleged first-degree murder charge that occurred at a rural Wisner home back in 2022.

Ruskamp pleaded not guilty for all three charges put against him on Wednesday morning.

He faces three charges including first-degree murder, a felony weapons charge, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Ruskamp could face a lifetime sentence for the murder charge, up to 50 years for the felony weapon charge, and 50 years for the possession of a firearm.

This stems back to an incident in 2022 when authorities say 33-year-old Carl Ruskamp allegedly shot and killed his father, Gerald, at a rural Wisner residence.

The Nebraska State Patrol arrived on the scene to find Ruskamp’s father, Gerald, in the house on a couch suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

During a search of the house, authorities also found a “marijuana grow operation.”

The first-degree murder charges were filed in 2023.

Ruskamp also faces a separate charge for possession of a controlled substance, which he waived his right to a speedy trial on Wednesday after pleading not guilty in October 2023.

Ruskamp is scheduled to be back in court for a pre-trial hearing on May 1 for both cases.