Key Points

• Life Sentence Without Parole: On November 12, 2025, 45-year-old Kierre Williams was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the first-degree murder of Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, following his guilty plea and avoiding a lengthy trial.
• Murder During Church Break-In: The killing occurred during a violent early-morning home invasion at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church rectory in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, on December 10, 2023. Rev. Gutgsell, 65, was stabbed multiple times after calling 911 to report an intruder.
• Guilty Plea and No Death Penalty: Williams initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but later changed his plea to guilty on all counts — including murder, burglary, and weapons possession. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.
• Community Reaction: Gutgsell’s family expressed relief at the verdict but said the tragedy shattered their sense of safety. Williams issued a written apology through his attorney.
• No Known Connection: Investigators found no link between Williams and the priest, describing the attack as random.

Background: The Fatal Church Intrusion

The murder shocked the quiet town of Fort Calhoun (population ~1,100). Around 5 a.m. on December 10, 2023, Rev. Gutgsell called 911 reporting an intruder armed with a knife. Deputies arrived to a gruesome scene — the priest lay on the rectory floor with multiple stab wounds, and Williams was found lying across his body. Despite emergency efforts, Gutgsell was later pronounced dead at an Omaha hospital.

Williams, from Sioux City, Iowa, had a long criminal history across several states, including prior convictions for drug and burglary offenses. Authorities confirmed the motive appeared to be burglary, not a targeted attack.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Williams was charged with first-degree murder, burglary, and weapons violations. After initially claiming insanity, he withdrew that plea in October 2025 and accepted full responsibility.

During the November 12 sentencing, Williams chose not to attend the hearing. His defense read a statement expressing regret, saying he “never meant to hurt anyone.” The judge called the act “unprovoked, senseless violence”, emphasizing that a life sentence was the only appropriate punishment.

Members of Gutgsell’s family described his absence as “cowardly”, saying they hoped the sentence would bring some measure of peace to their community.

Context: The Priest’s Complex Past

Rev. Gutgsell had previously been convicted of embezzling church funds in 2007 while serving at another parish in South Omaha. He received five years of probation and later returned to ministry after rehabilitation.
Authorities, however, made clear that his past had no connection to his death. Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson confirmed the attack was random and unrelated to the priest’s history.

Broader Impact

The killing of a priest inside his own rectory sparked national discussions about church safety and the mental health factors behind random violent crimes. Fort Calhoun parishioners have since held multiple memorials honoring Gutgsell’s service, while the Archdiocese of Omaha continues to support the grieving congregation.

Timeline of Key Events