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Gretna Breeze A3 March 4, 2020 By Sam Pimper Staff Writer Sarpy County Public Defender Tom Strigenz on Feb. 25 filed a notice for appeal in the Nebras- ka Court of Appeals for Abram K. Sollman, who on Feb. 24 was sentenced to 14 to 20 years imprison- ment after being convicted of vehicular homicide in relation to the death of a 71-year-old Gretna wom- an. Strigenz, who repre- sented the Dowagiac, Mich., man, originally filed a motion for a new trial in district court after his client was found guilty on three counts by Dis- trict Court Judge George Thompson during a De- cember 2019 bench trial. Sollman was also sen- tenced to 60 days impris- onment for driving under the influence first offense, and 90 days for first-of- fense reckless driving. The sentences are running con- secutively, or back to back, according to Strigenz. Strigenz, court records show, on the first appeal contended there were is- sues with Sollman’s trial that “materially affected his (client’s) substantial rights.” Strigenz, in his motion to the court on Dec. 19 last year, said that the verdict reached was not sustained by sufficient evidence or was contrary to law, to-wit the evidence presented didn’t support a finding that the proximate cause of death was the defen- dant operating a vehicle in violation of two Nebraska state statutes (60-6,213; 60- 6,197.06) relating to reck- less driving and driving during a period of revoca- tion. Strigenz also highlight- ed that he believes there was an error of law occur- ring during the trial, to- wit the court should have considered a lesser offense of Class I Misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide. The driving force be- hind Cassandra Clausen’s death is what the defense has shown a point of con- tention with, and is what it’s focusing on with its most recent appeal, Stri- genz said. “Our whole defense in this case was the causation of the accident,” Strigenz said during a phone in- terview. “There is no question that Ms. Clausen turned in front of him, and I felt the causation of the accident was a result of that. The court, of course, found that the cause was that he (Sollman) was driving while intoxicat- ed.” The defendant on Feb. 1, 2019, was reportedly driving drunk when his 2002 Volkswagen Jetta Collided with a 2017 Hon- da CRV driven by the vic- tim, as reported by The Omaha World-Herald. Investigators from the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office determined Clau- sen was traveling east on North Star Drive near the Nebraska Crossing Out- lets at about 6:15 p.m. that day. The Honda was mak- ing a left turn onto High- way 6 when it was struck by Sollman’s southbound Volkswagen. An appellate court ap- peal, Strigenz said, needed to be made within 30 days of sentencing. He noted that his most recent appeal was done to dot his I’s and cross his T’s to ensure his client is represented in the most effective manner possible. But, he acknowledged receiving a new trial is a long shot. “They are filed often, but rarely granted,” he said of appeals motions. Man convicted of vehicular homicide seeks new trial By Rachel George Editor A six-month long in- vestigation that culminat- ed in the closing of NE- Thing Smokin’ Glass Shop in Gretna on Feb. 7, 2019 has wrapped up. During a search of the business, authorities found one pound of mar- ijuana, one pound of THC wax, mushrooms and four ounces of hashish, along with bags and scales. Two loaded semi-automatic handguns and one loaded revolver were also taken. Deputies then searched the owners’ home, and found a small marijuana growing operation. There were nine mature marijua- na plants, growing lights, fertilizer and equipment to produce THC wax. Isaac Grell and his wife were at the business when it was searched. Their two children were at home when deputies arrived. Grell was sentenced to 5 to 10 years on four charges on Jan. 22. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two counts of felony child abuse and manufacturing of a controlled substance. About 14 members from the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and Omaha Police Department coor- dinated the investigation through the Omaha Metro Drug Task Force. “Outstanding effort by all the investigators involved,” said Sgt. Rick Montgomery with the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office. “A lot of time and energy was put forth to achieve the end result. “At the end of the day, we were most concerned about the safety of the community.” — BH News Service con- tributed to this report. Grell sentenced in glass shop investigation At its Feb. 25 meeting, the Gretna Planning Com- mission: • Tabled a public hear- ing on a planned unit de- velopment amendment for Nebraska Crossing, in- cluding additional build- ings and parking for the development. The item will be on the March meet- ing agenda. • Held a public hear- ing and ultimately rec- ommended approval of planned unit development amendment #3 for the Royal View Apartments Community, including changes to design stan- dards for development. The change will allow ei- ther pitched or flat roofs on the remaining lots. The Planning Commis- sion’s next meeting will be March 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Gretna City Hall, 204 N. 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