Nelson County States Attorney Resigns

The embattled states attorney for Nelson County has suddenly resigned. Douglas Manbeck had been facing criticism for the way he handled a case involving the Brossart family in Nelson County.

Local officials in Nelson County had routinely criticized Manbeck for falling behind in his duties as states attorney, but they say his sudden resignation caught them by surprise. Manbeck's last day was yesterday. Nelson County Commission Chairman Odell Flaagan says he wasn't expecting Manbeck to quit suddenly. Both Flaagan and Nelson County Sheriff Kelly Janke have said in the past Manbeck didn't do enough dealing with the Brossart case. Instead of going to trial, the family reached a plea agreement, avoiding jail time. Flaagan says the case weighed heavily on Manbeck and the entire community, which he says likely factored into the attorney's resignation. Sheriff Janke who had called for Manbeck's ouster refused to comment on his resignation today. When reached by phone today, Manbeck himself declined to say why he resigned.

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