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Man waives jury decision on death penalty in Nebraska murder

WILBER, Neb. — A Nebraska man convicted of killing and dismembering a 24-year-old Lincoln woman who officials say was lured to her death through an online dating app has waived his right to have a jury decide whether he’s eligible for the death penalty.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 52-year-old Aubrey Trail opted Thursday to have the death penalty portion of his case sent directly to a three-judge panel, which will determine whether he gets death or life in prison. Trail’s choice came a day after a Saline County jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the 2017 death of Sydney Loofe.

Loofe’s body parts were found in 14 pieces in ditches along a state highway weeks after her disappearance. She was reported missing Nov. 16 — two days after she had gone on a Tinder date with Trial’s 25-year-old girlfriend, Bailey Boswell.

Boswell is also charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting trial.

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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com

The Associated Press