Trail Waves Jury Decision On Death Penalty

WILBER, Neb. (AP) – The man convicted in the killing and dismembering of 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.

On Thursday, 52-year-old Aubrey Trail opted 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 highway in Clay County, 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.

Trail’s sentence will be determined by a three judge panel, to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.  If all three judges agree, Trail will be sentenced to death.  Sort of a unanimous decision, he will be sentenced to life in prison.