Trail Pleads 'Not Guilty' To Sydney Loofe Murder

The man who is accused of the murder of Neligh native Sydney Loofe entered not guilty pleas during his arraignment in Saline County District Court on Friday morning.

Aubrey Trail, 51, pleaded not guilty to murder in the first degree, a class 1 or class 1A felony, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison (Class 1) or the death penalty (Class 1A); and improper disposal of human skeletal remains, a class IV felony, which carries up to 2 years in prison and a fine. He had previously waived his preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to district court.

Benjamin and Joseph Murray were both present as Trail’s counsel. There were originally appointed as standby counsel and told the judge they will now represent Trail from this point forward.

On Thursday, state prosecutor Sandra Allen of the Nebraska State Attorney General's office filed court documents indicating that the state intends to seek the death penalty in the case. 

Allen, who is serving as a Special Deputy Saline County Attorney, alleged that Trail has a history of "serious assaultive or terrorizing criminal activity" and that Loofe's murder "manifested exceptional depravity by ordinary standards of morality and intelligence." She also named 457 potential witnesses in the murder case.

Trail's next court appearance will be a status hearing on August 20 at 10 a.m.

Bailey Boswell, 24, is also charged in Loofe's murder. She is set to appear in court on July 24.