Man accused of murdering Columbus woman, shooting at Hastings Police takes plea deal

CENTRAL NEBRASKA - The Nebraska man facing charges of murder and attempted murder in two central Nebraska counties is taking a plea deal in both cases. 

36-year-old Anthony Mattison is accused of killing 25-year old Jasmine Garnett of Columbus and leaving her remains in a Clay County field on Sept. 17, 2022, according to court records. 

10 days later on Sept. 27, Mattison was arrested after being involved in a shootout with Hastings Police. 

On Tuesday in Clay County Court, prosecutors filed amended charges in both cases in Adams and Clay counties. 

Mattison was originally charged with four felonies in the Clay County murder, plus 10 other charges in the Hastings Police shootout. 

Court documents now show that a plea deal has been reached in both cases. 

In Clay County, Mattison agreed to plead no contest to second degree murder, which carries a sentence of 20 years to life in prison, plus use of a firearm to commit a felony, which carries a sentence of 5 to 50 years in prison. 

In Adams County, Mattison agreed to plead no contest to two counts of attempted second-degree murder, which both carry a sentence of one to 50 years in prison. 

Prosecutors dropped several charges in both cases as part of the plea deal, including a first-degree murder charge in Clay County.

According to Mattison's defense attorney, an over-the-phone scheduling conference will happen on Oct. 21, and a sentencing date could be determined that day.