Shekey trial goes to judge

By KATIE WILLIAMS, Messenger staff writer

DAKOTA CITY - A Humboldt man's trial before a District Court judge ended Thursday after three days of evidence presented by attorneys.

William Jacob Shekey, 20, was charged with second-degree murder after being arrested in connection with the death of Michael Lee Ruberg of Dakota City.

Shekey's trial began Tuesday with Judge Bryan H. McKinley presiding. Shekey waived his right to a jury trial earlier this month, thus McKinley will decide if Shekey is guilty. He has not yet filed that decision.

Shekey was taken into custody without incident on April 11 at his parents' home in Humboldt nearly a week after Ruberg was found unconscious in the street in front of a residence in Rutland. Ruberg, 41, was taken from the scene to the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 4 a.m.

Investigators focused their efforts on Shekey after witnesses reportedly identified him as the man who fought with Ruberg prior to his death.

An autopsy was performed and officials determined Ruberg's death was homicide caused by blunt force trauma to his head and neck.

Ruberg was the father of three and worked at Decker Truck Lines Inc. as a short-haul driver. He was buried April 9 in West Ullensvang Cemetery in Thor.

Second-degree murder is a class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

A call to the Humboldt County Attorney's office was not returned by press time.

Contact Katie Williams at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net