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Judge denies pre-trial release for former PBSO deputy accused of murder

Posted at 12:06 PM, Jul 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-26 12:07:04-04

On Thursday, a Palm Beach County judge denied a former PBSO deputy's request for pre-trial release.

Carlton Nebergall Junior is being held on a first-degree murder charge. Investigators say Nebergall shot and killed his estranged son-in-lawJacob Lodge in February, outside Nebergall's home in The Acreage.

A police report says Lodge had met with his estranged wife, Carlton's daughter Katrina Nebergall, to exchange clothes for their children. She was living with her father and children at the home. The report claims Nebergall walked out of the house with a gun and shot Jason Lodge as he tried to leave.

Nebergall’s daughter told police her dad was belligerent and screaming curse words. Nebergall is not allowed contact with his daughter or grandchildren.

The judge said that with the facts of the case he did “not feel comfortable granting bond.”  

Nebergall's attorney Michael Salnick asked the judge to release Nebergall on house arrest as he awaited trial, adding that Nebergall had spent 30 plus years in law enforcement. 

“What happened was sad and unfortunate, but I don’t think it was first-degree murder,” Salnick told the judge.

In court, Salnick had four witnesses, including Nebergall’s nephew and sister, speak on Nebergall’s behalf to the judge. The witnesses described Nebergall's relationship with Lodge as strained. Lodge was once arrested for allegedly stealing jewelry from his home years before. They described Lodge's relationship with Nebergall's daughter as on-again, off-again. 

The prosecution told the judge they were concerned about Nebergall possibly fleeing before trial. They also cited his excessive alcohol use. 

Carlton Nebergall Jr. is the father of deputy Jason Nebergall who was found guilty by a jury this month of attempted rape and battery. Jason Nebergall is set to be sentenced on August 1st.