Wyoming
A special view of Wyoming law – Torrington Telegram
Rhett Breedlove
TORRINGTON – The Goshen District Court met in “session” at 8:30 a.m. early Tuesday morning.
This would be a special session, however. One meant to educate, inform, and perhaps set tomorrow’s generation up for success rather than for dark complicated adversities.
The morning was not to address a defendant who found themselves on the wrong side of Wyoming law, but to give a healthy and truthful view to all county eighth graders on what the law really looks like.
With not an empty seat in the district courtroom, Goshen County and Prosecuting Attorney, Eric Boyer, addressed the children with close and accurate sincerity of how a seasoned attorney would in fact address a jury.
“We are very excited to show you today just how the law, and democracy really work,” Boyer said to the children.
Over 100 eighth graders sat before the prosecuting attorney as well as district judge, Ed Buchanan, along with a long list of county officials and law enforcement personnel.
The day marked the annual and traditional day off from school for all eighth graders to participate in YOLO Day.
You only live once would be the powerful and constant message for every child sitting in the public area of the courtroom early Tuesday morning.
As they entered and filled the large room; some excited, some curious, and of course others just happy to be out of school for a while, a very imperative and nourishing approach would be taken to help this group of youngsters.
They knew they would be witnessing a trial simulation, but the question still remained, “What does a real trial truly look like?”
As the kids would soon see, a mock trial from an authentic staff of real judges, lawyers, and law enforcement does not differentiate much from the real thing.
As judge Buchanan entered the courtroom, it seemed as if it was business as usual. As all were required to rise as Buchanan made his entrance, the sound of chit-chat and giggling slowly died while the district judge took his chair, customary shining black robe clean and ready to educate a younger generation.
Despite the procedure being merely a show for all the children present, the atmosphere felt entirely much like the real thing. The kids were able to see first-hand exactly what the final stage of a legal case or felony realistically is, in this case the sentencing.
As with a real sentencing, facts were once again read regarding the case, and both sides were given a final chance to be heard including the defendant.
With both defense and prosecution counsels “recommending probation” on behalf of the “defendant charged with aggravated assault,” Judge Buchanan explained in depth the reasoning behind a looming sentence. According to Wyoming statute on this particular charge, the penalty factually carries a maximum of up to ten years of incarceration.
While both defense and prosecution “agreed” probation would be appropriate for the “defendant with a history of drug and alcohol-related infractions,” Judge Buchanan did not.
“On behalf of the state of Wyoming, I hereby sentence you to serve no less than four years no less than six, at a state correctional institution,” Buchanan said. “Court will stand in recess.”
Soon thereafter county investigator, Sergeant Herbie Irons, placed the “defendant” in handcuffs, and escorted her promptly out of the courtroom.
The entire mock hearing lasted roughly in the realm of at least half an hour. In those thirty minutes, however, the complete silence of the room hinted perceptions were altered and thoughts were running with questions.
As Judicial Assistant, Melissa Stevens, kindly introduced every present official by full name and position, numerous hands slowly but surely began to fill the air with questions.
As Stevens reminded the children once more, “You only live once.”
If something could be taken away from those words and as every attorney, police officer, or social worker in the room would explain; life is much too short to complicate it with poor decisions.
In total ambiguity of certain “scared straight” programs, perhaps which have unethically made their way onto national television in recent years, the purpose of the day was guidance, education, and peaceful yet persistent dissuasion.
Not fear.
The message to the dozens and dozens of middle schoolers sitting in the county’s only courthouse was soft but clear.
Courts do not exist to instill fear. They are there to uphold the law. As Judge Buchanan further explained, “The laws are there to keep everyone safe.”
Furthermore, the district judge additionally alluded without law we, as a society, would not have peace, we would not have happiness, and we certainly would not be civilized. In simple terms, Wyoming statute acts as a convincing deterrent for those who would proceed to intrude on the peace and tranquility of the innocent and vulnerable.
As every official in the room is entirely familiar, perhaps teaching a child fear and anger will only reinforce decisions ultimately resulting in sitting in the defendant’s chair later on in life.
“Hopefully students leave with more understanding of how the criminal justice system works in our democracy, and how democracy wouldn’t work without a justice system.” Donna Duncan of Goshen County Victim’s Assistance said.
If there is one thing every resident in Goshen County might be able to agree on from YOLO Day; if more age-appropriate children could witness what a courtroom truly feels like in the presence of real officials, perhaps we would witness far more of them choosing trades, careers and colleges over substances, charges, and incarcerations.
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Two men were detained in Wyoming in connection with a fatal shooting at a downtown Salt Lake hotel that killed one man.
Carlos Chee, 23, and Chino Aguilar, 21, were both wanted for first-degree felony murder after the victim, identified as Christian Lee, 32, was found dead in a room at the Springhill Suites near 600 South and 300 West.
According to warrants issued for their arrest, Chee and Aguilar met with Lee and another woman at the hotel to sell marijuana. During the alleged drug deal, Aguilar allegedly shot and killed Lee after he tried to grab at his gun.
MORE | Shootings
Investigators said they found Lee dead in the room upon arrival, as well as a single shell casing on the floor and a small amount of marijuana on the television stand.
The woman told investigators she had met Chee on a dating app and that he agreed to come to the hotel to sell her marijuana. She had been hanging out with him in the room, which Lee rented for her to use, when Lee asked them to leave. Lee was then shot and killed following a brief confrontation.
Chee and Aguilar allegedly fled the scene in a 2013 Toyota Camry with a Texas license plate that was later found outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming just a few hours later.
The two men were taken into custody and detained at the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office.
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ROCK SPRINGS, Wyoming (KUTV) — A man was hospitalized with critical injuries after he was reportedly shot by a deputy responding to reports of a disturbance.
Deputies with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Rock Springs Police Department responded to the Sweetwater Heights apartment complex in the 2100 block of Century Boulevard just after 4 a.m. on Monday to investigate reports of a disturbance involving an armed individual.
Information that dispatch received indicated that the individual had shot himself. When officials arrived, they found the individual on the balcony of an upstairs apartment “who appeared to have a gunshot wound consistent with the initial report,” a press release states.
MORE | Officer-Involved Shooting
During the encounter, a deputy discharged their weapon and struck the individual.
Emergency medical personnel rendered aid, and the individual was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
No law enforcement officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation will conduct an independent investigation.
The deputy who fired their weapon was placed on administrative leave per standard protocol.
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by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile
Albert Sommers, former Wyoming Speaker of the House, announced Thursday he will attempt to reclaim a seat he formerly held for more than a decade in the statehouse.
“Leadership matters,” Sommers, a lifelong cattle rancher, wrote in a press release. “Right now, the Wyoming House is too often focused on division instead of solutions. We need steady, effective leadership that solves problems—not rhetoric and political theater.”
Voters in 2013 first elected Sommers to House District 20, which encompasses Sublette County and an eastern section of Lincoln County. As a lawmaker, Sommers largely focused on health care, education and water issues. Over six terms, he rose through the ranks, serving in leadership positions and chairing committees focused on education funding and broadband.
In his announcement, Sommers highlighted his legislative work to establish funding for rural hospitals, prioritize “responsible property tax relief,” as well as the creation of the Wyoming Colorado River Advisory Committee within the State Engineer’s Office, “to ensure our water users have a voice in critical decisions affecting the Green River Valley,” he wrote.
As speaker, Sommers was a frequent target of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus as well as the DC-based State Freedom Caucus Network, even getting the attention of Fox News and other national, conservative news outlets. They often accused Sommers of not being conservative enough, and criticized him for keeping bills in “the drawer,” which has long been code for the unilateral power a speaker has to kill legislation by holding it back. (The practice of holding bills has been used to a much higher degree under Freedom Caucus leadership.)
In 2023, Sommers used the speaker’s powers to kill bills related to a school voucher program, banning instruction on gender and sexual orientation from some classrooms and criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors. At the time, Sommers defended his decision to hold back “bills that are unconstitutional, not well vetted, duplicate bills or debates, and bills that negate local control, restrict the rights of people or risk costly litigation financed by the people of Wyoming.”
He reiterated that philosophy and defended his record in his Thursday campaign announcement.
“I am a common-sense conservative who believes in getting things done. I support our core industries—oil and gas, ranching, and tourism—and I will continue to fight for the people and natural resources of Sublette County and LaBarge. I am pro-gun, pro-life, pro-family, and pro-education,” Sommers wrote. “I also take seriously my oath to uphold the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions, which means I didn’t support bills that violated those constitutions. I read bills carefully and I voted accordingly.”
Following his term as speaker, Sommers stepped away from the House to run for Senate District 14 in 2024. He lost in the primary election to political newcomer Laura Pearson, a Freedom Caucus-endorsed Republican from Kemmerer, who also won in the general election. Her Senate win coincided with the Freedom Caucus winning control of the House.
“That race didn’t go my way, and I respected the outcome,” Sommers said in a Thursday press release. But “the direction of the Wyoming House,” since then, he said, has “raised serious concerns.”
Sommers pointed to the Freedom Caucus and its budget proposal, which, despite a funding surplus, included major cuts and funding denials. Ahead of the session, the caucus said its sights were set on shrinking spending and limiting the growth of government.
In his Thursday press release, Sommers criticized “decisions that cut food assistance for vulnerable children, reduced business opportunities, slashed funding to the University of Wyoming, eliminated resources for cheatgrass control, denied raises for state employees, and removed positions critical to protecting Wyoming’s water rights.”
Most of those proposals did not make it into the final budget bill.
Sommers also pointed to a controversy that dominated the 2026 session after a Teton County conservative activist handed out campaign checks to lawmakers on the House floor. Lawmakers in both chambers unanimously voted to ban such behavior before a House Special Investigative Committee found that the exchange did not violate the Wyoming Constitution nor did it amount to legislative misconduct. A Laramie County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigation is still underway.
But “controversies like ‘Checkgate’ undermined public trust, and decorum in the House deteriorated,” Sommers said.
“Transparency and accessibility will remain central to how I serve,” Sommers said. “As I’ve done before, I will provide regular updates on legislation, seek your input, and clearly explain my votes.”
Incumbent bows out
Rep. Mike Schmid, R-La Barge, currently represents House District 20, but announced Thursday morning that he would not seek reelection.
“It has truly been an honor to serve as your State Representative for House District 20. When I first ran, I had hoped to serve up to three terms and continue building on what I learned during my first term,” Schmid wrote in a Facebook post. “But life can change your priorities. Over the past year, my family has gone through some difficult times. My wife is dealing with serious health issues, and the death of my brother, Jim, just a few short weeks ago have made it clear to me where I need to spend my time.”
In March, Bill Winney, a perennial candidate and former nuclear submarine commander, announced he would run for House District 20.
The official candidate filing period opens May 14.
This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
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