State Briefs

Coronavirus continues grip on Wyoming

LYMAN (WNE) — Although the number of active cases are not growing as fast as they did in the past, the virus still maintains a good grip on Wyoming as the total number of confirmed and probable coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 1,137 on Tuesday, according to the Wyoming Department of Health’s (WDH) weekly update. 

The WDH also said there were 493 active cases, and hospitalizations have grown from 31 last week to 39 this week. 

However, there were no increases in deaths due to the virus so the total deaths in Wyoming are still 1,856. 

The majority of deaths in Wyoming have occurred in people whose health was compromised by other health conditions or were residents of long-term health facilities. 

A total of 678,207 vaccine doses have been administered in Wyoming. 

In addition the number of first pediatric Pfizer doses given to children (5-11 years old) in Wyoming is 8,661. The number of second pediatric Pfizer doses given to children ages 5 to 7 is 7,073. 

While some parents are choosing to have their children vaccinated, a considerable number has said they will not have their children vaccinated.

 Separate trials asked for in child murder case

CODY (WNE) –- Moshe Williams’ attorneys filed a motion last week objecting to a joint trial and making a motion to sever the trial from codefendant Carolyn Aune.

The two Cody residents are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Williams’ daughter, 2-year-old Paisleigh Williams.

Senior assistant public defenders Dylan Rosalez and Curtis Cheney acknowledged most cases involving two defendants charged with the same crime have one trial, but they said as part of the motion to sever that Williams “asserts that a joint trial will result in prejudice.”

The main argument revolved around another felony case involving Aune, who is alleged to have assaulted a deputy in the Park County Detention Center.

“There is a risk that the jurors could convict Mr. Williams based on his association with Ms. Aune,” the motion reads in part. “However, should Mr. Williams seek to introduce this evidence against Ms. Aune, there is a risk that the jurors could convict Ms. Aune based on the assault she inflicted on the jail guard. Should Williams be denied the opportunity to present this evidence, he may suffer prejudice denying him an important part of his defense.”

The attorneys also noted in the motion that severing the trials would limit the possibility of either defendant being called as a witness against the other, which could result in both of them “pleading the fifth,” and could negatively affect the perception of the jury.

Paisleigh died April 4, 2021, and signs of long-term physical abuse were found on her body.

Aune and Williams each are accused of causing the death of the toddler through their possible actions or lack thereof, qualifying as child abuse that caused her death.

 State reveals evidence for trial

CODY (WNE) — The state is preparing to display evidence against a couple charged with first- degree murder in the death of a 2-year-old — evidence that is meant to establish the relationships between the victim and both adults, individually.

It submitted a notice Friday of intention to use specific evidence in the case.

Moshe Williams and Carolyn Aune were both charged with first-degree murder in the death of Williams’ daughter Paisleigh Williams, who died April 4, 2021. Signs of long-term physical abuse were found on her body. Both Aune and Williams are accused of causing the death of the toddler through their possible actions or lack thereof, qualifying as child abuse.

The specific evidence the state submitted Friday is intended to prove “the defendants’ knowledge and intent,” wrote Park County Deputy Attorney Jack Hatfield.

“The key question in this prosecution is identity, or who is responsible?” he wrote. “Which defendant(s) physically abused PW?”

“PW’s injuries are unquestionable evidence of prior abuse and are relevant to the questions of 1. who inflicted the fatal injuries; 2. when were these injuries sustained; and 3. who had knowledge of PW’s abuse, yet failed to act with reckless disregard,” Hatfield wrote.

Evidence proposed for possible submission includes:

• An interview with Williams’ ex-wife discussing his physical behavior with his children

• A jail cell discussion with Aune’s cellmate who told authorities that Aune said she frequently would go out to her vehicle to smoke and drink when watching her and Williams’ children.

• Comments Williams made to family members about Aune’s not appearing to be caring for his children.

“The serious nature of this little girl’s injuries would have been evident to any present adult, especially when inexplicable bumps and bruises began to appear on her head and body while suffering from persistent nausea and vomiting,” Hatfield wrote. “PW’s autopsy report revealed a number of injuries in various stages of healing that can only be characterized as non-accidental.”

Boston student dies from lightning strike while camping

JACKSON (WNE) —An organized outdoor education course turned deadly Tuesday when a 22-year old Boston student suffered fatal cardiac arrest after lightning struck his tent.

Another student was injured in the strike while the group of 14 camped near Enos Lake in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. 

Teton County Search and Rescue responded to the call at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday. The lake rests at an elevation of 7,818 feet and is located 12 miles from the Pacific Creek trailhead.

Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue confirmed that the deceased student, Jack Murphy, was a Boston resident and the cause of death was a lightning strike.

The injured student was transferred via helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and was released Wednesday, said Shana Tarter, NOLS associate director for wilderness medicine.

NOLS — National Outdoor Leadership School — is a Lander-based nonprofit school that teaches wilderness and leadership skills.

Murphy, along with 13 other backpackers, was participating in a NOLS outdoor educator course.

According to a NOLS press release, members of the group attempted to perform CPR on Murphy for over an hour but were unsuccessful, as were the CPR attempts made by Search and Rescue members once they arrived on the scene.

“This is a very sad day for NOLS, our students and our families,” NOLS President Terri Watson said in the press release. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of our student who passed away on this course and are focused on supporting their family through its difficult process.”

Wyoming soldier named best warrior of Army National Guard

LARAMIE (WNE) — A member of the Wyoming Army National Guard won the 2022 All-Guard Best Warrior Competition in Tennessee in July. 

Sgt. Tyler Holloway of Sheridan earned the award Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, according to a news release from the Wyoming National Guard. 

Holloway is a fire support specialist in the 115th Field Artillery Brigade. 

According to a WNG news release, Holloway is the first person from Wyoming to win the award. 

“Watching Sgt. Holloway train and perform reminded me of all we have to be proud of in Wyoming,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lindsay Schmidt of the Wyoming Army National Guard in the news release. 

The competition consisted of more than 30 graded events.