No bail for man charged in Teresa Longo's death; his father says 'the killer is still out there'

Reginald Briggs, 31, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Teresa Longo, also 31.

Her body was found Friday inside a vacant house at 2210 N. 39th St. after Omaha homicide detectives received a tip that there was a body there. She was shot and killed on Sept. 17, prosecutors said.

Briggs and Longo were housemates with several other adults and children, said Briggs’ father, Reginald Mayhue of Omaha.

Mayhue said he had met Longo a few times, describing her as “a really nice girl. I’m sorry for her family.”

Mayhue said he believes his son is innocent.

“He ain’t no killer,” Mayhue said after Thursday’s bail hearing. “The killer is still out there.”

Briggs also is charged with use of a firearm to commit a felony, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, pandering, and two counts of felony domestic violence assault in connection with an alleged assault on another woman, his girlfriend.

Longo and the girlfriend both worked as prostitutes for Briggs, prosecutors said.

Briggs was released from a Nebraska prison in February. In 2012 he was sentenced to three to six years for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Mayhue said his son had been looking for a job since his release.

In 2010 Briggs was sentenced to one year in prison for two counts of third-degree domestic assault and driving with a revoked license.

Briggs was already awaiting trial in Douglas County on two misdemeanors. He was arrested Aug. 26 on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault and criminal mischief.

In August he served three days in the Douglas County Correctional Center for shoplifting and failure to comply with a citation, both misdemeanors.

Money for a memorial service for Longo is being raised on YouCaring.com, a crowdfunding site. As of Thursday evening, more than $5,800 had been pledged toward the $10,000 goal.

Contact the writer: 402-444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com