Jessalyn Stierwalt

A Beatrice woman accused of asking two friends to stab her in hopes of avoiding a probation hearing the following day was released from jail Thursday morning.

Gage County Judge Steven Timm ordered the release of Jessalyn Stierwalt, 21, on her own recognizance so that she could begin a diversion program.

The order was made at the request of Stierwalt’s attorney Julie Effenbeck. Timm and Gage County Chief Deputy Attorney Rick Schreiner agreed that the circumstances surrounding the case are unusual, but Schreiner did not object to Effenbeck’s request.

Timm stipulated, however, that Stierwalt is not to consume any alcohol or controlled substance and is not to possess any dangerous instruments — especially knives.

Stierwalt is being charged with conspiracy to commit assault, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted. 

According to court documents, Stierwalt was admitted to Beatrice Community Hospital on July 5 for stab wounds to her shoulder and abdomen. Stierwalt told police she asked two male friends, Scott Roberson-Truman, 20, and Jerry L. Duke, 32, to stab her in order to avoid going to a scheduled probation appointment the following morning.

She said she needed time to “sober up.”

Court documents say that Roberson-Truman and Duke eventually complied with Stierwalt’s request and stabbed her twice, once in the shoulder and once in the stomach.

Both Roberson-Truman and Stierwalt indicated that they were intoxicated during the incident.

Duke, who’s being charged with second degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony, also had a hearing Thursday morning, appearing without his attorney.

The court appointed Lyle Koenig to represent him. Duke and Stierwalt are both scheduled to appear in court Aug. 25.

Duke faces a possible punishment of 1 to 20  years in prison on count one if convicted and 1 to 50 years in prison on count two.

Roberson-Truman was also scheduled for a hearing Thursday morning but did not appear. His attorney, Jeff Goltz, said Roberson-Truman called him earlier in the morning and was “very ill.” Timm continued his case to Aug. 9.