Odds and ends

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Unless the judge asks you to speak up, it's best to keep quiet in Lincoln County District Court.

Judge John Murphy enforced the court's no-talking rule Tuesday by ordering three men back to jail after they were caught chatting in a jury box while waiting for their cases to be called up.

Murphy told the men they could wait in jail until they learned to behave themselves in a courtroom.

Two of the men will now have to wait until July 14 before their cases are heard in court. One is suspected of carrying drugs, while the other is charged in a local burglary.

The third man, who earlier pleaded no contest to possession of methamphetamine, will be sentenced later this month.