Wyoming
Wyoming bull rider with Northern Colorado ties dies after being struck by bull at rodeo
A Wyoming bull rider with Northern Colorado ties has died from injuries suffered at a rodeo Thursday night in Texas.
Dylan Grant, 24, a Pavillion, Wyoming native, and former member of the University of Wyoming rodeo team, was competing April 3 in the Wharton County Youth Fair Xtreme Bulls event in Wharton, Texas, when the accident happened, according to an announcement from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Medics rushed Grant into an ambulance where they began working to stabilize him. He was then taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, where he passed away, the announcement read.
“The PRCA would like to send its thoughts and prayers to bull rider Dylan Grant’s family, friends and the entire rodeo/bull riding community,” the PRCA announcement read.
Grant was a 2023 graduate of the University of Wyoming where he earned a degree in physical education.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dylan’s father, Wade, and Dylan’s mother, Tiffany, during this unthinkable time,” the rodeo team’s Facebook page stated. Dylan was a champion of life inside and outside of the arena.”
Grant competed in the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver in January and the Mountain States Circuit Finals at the Larimer County Ranch Events Complex in October of 2024.
In 2021, while competing for the University of Wyoming rodeo team, Grant won the bull riding title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo in Loveland.
Grant had $3,760 in earnings this year and $15,710 in career earnings on the PRCA circuit.
The Coloradoan previously reported, Canvas Stadium on the campus of CSU will host the Professional Bull Riders “Best of the West” bull riding-only event July 21-22.
The event will include bull riding both nights as well as concerts from country artists Tim McGraw and Jon Pardi.
Wyoming
Wyoming Supreme Court upholds 125- to 175-year conviction for Steven Marler after child sexual abuse trial in 2025
CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Supreme Court has upheld the 2025 conviction of Steven Randall Marler, 52, who was sentenced to 125 to 175 years in prison on eight felony counts of sexually abusing two girls under his foster or adoptive care at his home on Casper Mountain. Marler was also convicted of five misdemeanor batteries and a count of child endangerment. He was found not guilty of sexual abusing another two other minors in the family, including the one who had first brought forward allegations in 2016.
The Supreme Court opinion noted that discrepancies in her testimony from previous statements were revealed at trial.
The appeal claimed that the Natrona County court where the trial was held improperly admitted testimony about physical abuse and Marler’s insistence that the children give him massages, which they said he referred to as a “daddy tax.”
The massages did not result in charges, and Wyoming courts are strict in disallowing evidence of “prior bad acts” for uncharged conduct that might color the opinion of the jury about whether the defendant is guilty of the actual charges.
The opinion released Friday and written by Justice Robert C. Jarosh noted that the Natrona Court, under Judge Kerri Johnson, had multiple hearings before the trial about whether the state should be allowed to introduce that evidence. It can only do so under specific circumstances, such as establishing a course of conduct relevant to “grooming behavior” and illustrating the power Marler held over the children and his ability and motivation in carrying out the abuse.
“The “daddy tax” massage evidence demonstrated a predictable, recurring pattern of behavior that directly illuminated Mr. Marler’s motive and systematic course of conduct,” the opinion reads. “The “daddy tax” massage evidence demonstrated a clear behavioral pattern and provided relevant context about how Mr. Marler targeted and groomed the children by exploiting his parental role and initiating abuse through seemingly innocent touching — all as a means to gratify his sexual desires.”
The opinion also noted that the jury had been properly instructed not to infer guilt based on the testimony about uncharged behavior they might find off-putting.
The appeal attorneys also argued that evidence of punishment in the form of spanking, exercise and withholding food was not relevant to the charged crimes and unfairly prejudicial to Marler.
“However, we agree with the district court this evidence was relevant to show Mr. Marler’s intent and motive to gain submission by the victims,” Friday’s opinion said.
Related
-
Kentucky6 minutes agoTwo-vehicle crash injures one in Pike County, Kentucky, troopers say
-
Louisiana12 minutes agoLafayette Renaissance edge rusher Ansinneo Charles commits to Louisiana
-
Maine18 minutes agoMaine Trust announces 2 hires in Augusta, Waterville
-
Maryland24 minutes agoWhat Doesn’t Change in Chevy Chase, Maryland
-
Michigan30 minutes agoHuntington Bank to close 13 Michigan branches by the end of August — see full list here
-
Massachusetts36 minutes agoMassachusetts RMV under fire after illegal immigrant trucker kills state trooper
-
Minnesota42 minutes agoThousands expected to attend Minnesota Yacht Club festival in St. Paul
-
Mississippi48 minutes agoMississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for July 17, 2026
