Columbus man sentenced to decades in prison for murder

Columbus, Nebraska — Michael Keener, 33, was sentenced Wednesday in Platte County District Court to 85 years to life in prison for the January 2022 murder of Larry Houdek, 77, in Columbus.

On the evening of January 16, 2022, Houdek was found dead in his Columbus apartment by Columbus police. An autopsy revealed that Houdek's death was the result of multiple stab wounds.

A good Samaritan called police because he was concerned about injuries he had noticed on Keener. Keener then told a Columbus police officer that he had just killed a man. After his superficial injuries were treated, Keener led officers to the home where Houdek's body was found. At the time of his arrest, Keener was in possession of various items belonging to Houdek.

In February of this year, Keener pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon after prosecutors agreed to reduce the first-degree murder charge to second-degree murder and drop a third charge of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. Keener faces a possible sentence of 65 years to life in prison for second-degree murder and an additional 20 to 25 years for use of a deadly weapon.

The Columbus Police Department, Platte County Sheriff's Department, Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, Platte County District Attorney's Office and Nebraska Attorney General's Office assisted in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of this case.