Kidnap plea is not guilty

LOUP CITY, Neb. - A Grand Island man accused of kidnapping a Loup City woman and leaving her tied to a tree has pleaded not guilty.

During arraignment in Sherman County District Court, Chris Mueller, 23, of Grand Island pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of kidnapping and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

He and Lisa Punteney, 19, of Grand Island are accused of abducting a 19-year-old Loup City woman at gunpoint April 23, threatening to kill her and leaving her tied to a tree.

Punteney pleaded not guilty last week to charges of kidnapping, use of a weapon to commit a felony and terroristic threats. She is in custody in the Custer County Jail.

Mueller is in custody in Hall County, where he faces a forcible sexual assault charge. His bond in Sherman County was set at 10 percent of $500,000, or $50,000 cash.

His next court date is Nov. 6. A jury trial is scheduled for both suspects on Dec. 8.