A judge set bond at $250,000 Tuesday for a Lincoln man accused of shooting a woman in the head last week.
It was the first court appearance for Melvin Botts II on charges of first-degree assault, use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.Â
In an affidavit for Botts' arrest, Lincoln Police Investigator Tim Cronin said at about 1:45 p.m. Dec. 21, officers went to a home near 10th and New Hampshire streets on a call about a 59-year-old woman, found unconscious on the floor and bleeding.
Julie Jordan had been shot in the back of the head, fragments of the bullet still in her neck, head and brain, Cronin said.
She and her boyfriend, Botts, had been staying there for two weeks and had been heard having loud arguments. Another man who lives there told police he woke to what sounded like a gunshot, then found Jordan bleeding on the floor with Botts standing near her.Â
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Cronin said Jordan identified Botts as the shooter.Â
When police arrested him Thursday at 10th and Garfield streets, he denied any involvement.Â
Jordan was in stable condition last week, according to police.
Botts remains at the Lancaster County Jail, following his appearance Tuesday before Lancaster County Court Judge Laurie Yardley.
Top Journal Star photos for December
Top Journal Star photos for December
Empty office space in the Atrium building frames the Capitol. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for December
Model trains sit on their tracks on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, at Foley Sign Company. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
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Lincoln Pius X's Jack Hastreiter (32) drives the ball past Bellevue West's Josiah Dotzler in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at Bellevue West High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
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FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
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Lincoln East's Jared Townsley (10) scores two around Kearney's Parker Wise (11) in the fourth quarter on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, at Lincoln East High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
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Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company dancer Grace Fry performs as the jester for Norwood Park Elementary School students in an abbreviated performance of "The Nutcracker" for the Backstage at the Ballet experience on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Wes Kembel (left) cleans up his home with the help from his friend Jordan Meals after a tornado passed through the day before on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
City workers remove a tree fallen on a car after a storm on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at 13th and Pawnee Streets. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Winds knocked over a hackberry tree in Antelope Park on Dec. 15.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
The Downtown Lincoln Association decorated the area with Christmas-themed icons like these frosted trees on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, for the Lincoln North Pole attraction at Tower Square. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
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Lincoln Southwest's Freddie Wallace (10) drives to the basket against Papio South's Taylor Mauch (bottom right) and Eke Djibril (top right) on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at Lincoln Southwest High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for December
Fourth grader Marquavious Irving writes down a math formula, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Kahoa Elementary School. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
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Nebraska's Ally Batenhorst (14) goes for a kill against Campbell in the first set during the first round of NCAA playoffs on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
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Charlie (10, left) and Will Simon (13) wave to Eric Fass from their car as they drive in the parade welcoming him home on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, on S. 26th Road. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Cathy (left) and Mark Ebers pick a Christmas tree with Sam, their six-year-old Australian shepherd and cattle dog mix, from the few that remain unclaimed trees at Prior Pines on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Prior Pines. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
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Lincoln Pius X's Joe Andreasen (left) grapples with Norris' Cooper Spaulding in 170-pound match on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, during the Lincoln Pius X Invitational. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
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Nebraska’s Lauren Stivrins (26), Aly Batenhorst (14), Lexi Rodriguez (8) and Callie Schwarzenbach (25) greet the fans with a victory lap after defeating Florida State 3-0 on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, during the NCAA Second Round at Devaney Sports Center. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
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Lincoln Stars' Michael Mastrodomenico (4) eludes Tri-City's Jeremy Wlimer (13) in the second period on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at the Ice Box. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Brayden Burt (9) tees off from the ninth hole of the Scott Whitcomb Memorial Disc Golf Course as his father Kelsey watches on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Tierra Briarhurst Park. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
York's Shaylynn Wahl bowls against Ogallala in the third game during the Class B championship match of State Unified Bowling on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at Sun Valley Lanes & Games. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
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Workers and volunteers pull the Christmas tree into Capitol on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
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