NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - A North Platte man was sentenced Monday to eight to 10 years in prison after a plea agreement in a domestic assault case that sparked public demonstrations and widespread social media reaction.

The sentence will run consecutively to federal time that he still must serve.

Nathan Creel, 29, pleaded no contest to first-degree domestic assault for an April attack that left Nikki Fitch hospitalized with severe injuries.

As part of the agreement, prosecutors dismissed additional assault and witness tampering charges, citing challenges that could have undermined the case at trial.

Judge Michael Piccolo followed the joint recommendation and gave Creel 178 days credit for time served.

Defense rebukes online criticism and compares sentencing outcomes

In court, defen

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