Michael McKernan left the Sarpy County courthouse Tuesday afternoon, knowing he would be back later this month to stand trial on charges of arson and insurance fraud.
Sarpy County prosecutors charged McKernan, 53, who is the owner of Wardrobe Spa, this September, accusing him of staging the explosion that rocked the business near 168th and Harrison in October 2018.
During the preliminary hearing Tuesday, prosecutors brought their own witness: Justin Kennel, a volunteer firefighter in Gretna, and an investigator with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office.
Kennel testified his agency's monthslong investigation revealed someone holes drilled into Wardrobe Spa's gas pipes.
"The evidence was that there were holes drilled inside these pipes in the natural gas system, and that's just not normal. That just doesn't happen, because it will lead to an explosion," Sarpy County deputy attorney Ben Perlman said.