OMAHA – Nikko Jenkins appeared in court via video conferencing on Thursday afternoon, a month after asking the state to proceed with his execution.
About a month ago, the Omaha spree killer demanded that the state set an execution date. However, Jenkins’ attorney said on Thursday that his client, who appeared to nod off during the proceedings, has changed his mind and wants to continue his appeals.
According to court filings, Jenkins last month submitted a handwritten document requesting that the state carry out his execution: “I no longer desire to appeal the death sentence imposed upon me.”
On Thursday, Judge Peter Bataillon ruled that Jenkins’ mental evaluation was unnecessary, and thus denied his attorney’s funding request for a mental-health competency evaluation.
Jenkins murdered four people in Omaha within ten days in August 2013. He was sentenced to death in 2017. He is currently housed at the Nebraska State Correctional Institution in Tecumseh.
Nebraska’s last execution occurred in 2018.