Svoboda changes plea in murder case

Ed Svoboda has pleaded “no contest” to aggravated homicide by vehicle, one of three murder charges that were leveled against him following the untimely death of his wife, Kathleen.

Svoboda initially pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness to charges of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree and aggravated homicide by vehicle.

Svoboda was arrested on September 5, 2021 after the Crook County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports that he had driven a truck into his back yard and struck his wife, Kathleen. She was pronounced deceased when the Hulett ambulance arrived on scene.

While investigating the scene, deputies determined that the victim had been hit and driven over by a pickup truck hauling a trailer.

An August, 2022 date was originally set for Svoboda’s trial. However, the case experienced significant delays due to the need for an examination of his mental condition, which came at a time when the Wyoming State Hospital was experiencing a backlog and had a long waiting list.

Svoboda has signed a plea agreement in which he will plead “no contest” to the charge of operating a vehicle in a reckless manner, with his conduct proving the proximate cause of the death of another person.

This felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of incarceration, a $10,000 fine or both.

In return, the State has agreed to dismiss the other two charges – the higher of which could potentially have seen him face the death penalty.

Both parties have agreed to a sentence between four and 14 years, with credit for time served since September 5, 2021, as part of the agreement.

At this time, a change of plea hearing has been scheduled before District Judge James Michael Causey on August 17.