Rotherham Pleads No Contest in Fatal Stabbing

(GERING, Neb.) — A local teen charged in connection with a deadly January stabbing pleaded no contest Wednesday in Scotts Bluff County District Court as part of a negotiated plea agreement.

Corey T. Rotherham Jr., 17, pled no contest to an amended charge of manslaughter, a Class 2A felony, for his role in the death of Wyatt Reeb.

Rotherham was originally charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting the use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony following the January 20, 2025, incident. Prosecutors allege Rotherham aided and abetted Devante Castellaw in the fatal stabbing.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the primary charge was amended to manslaughter, alleging Rotherham unintentionally caused Reeb’s death while committing an unlawful act, specifically third-degree assault. The weapons charge and all other related charges were dismissed with prejudice.

The plea was accepted by District Court Judge Leo Dobrovolny during a hearing Wednesday afternoon. The State of Nebraska, represented by prosecutor Sandra Allen, agreed to remain silent at sentencing.

Rotherham’s court-appointed attorney, Scotts Bluff County Public Defender Michael Meister, asked the court to consider his client for probation and a deferred judgment.

A Class 2A felony carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison with no mandatory minimum.

Judge Dobrovolny ordered a presentence investigation and directed Rotherham to report to the probation office. Sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.