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Michael P. Ramirez

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Cowboy State Daily is Wyoming’s largest newspaper with Wyoming’s most experienced journalists. 

<title>Daily Cartoon: Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Daily Cartoon: Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's general assignment reporter, Clair McFarland.

Clair McFarland

Crime & Courts

Courts

The transgender Laramie resident who staged a protest 

last summer of Wyoming’s new cross-sex access ban for public restrooms is now waging a self-defense argument in a felony aggravated assault case.

 for using the women’s bathroom in the Wyoming Capitol when a new state law activated banning the practice. 

The ban doesn’t allow for penalties against a transgender person using the women’s bathroom, but allows females aggrieved by that event to sue the state for letting it happen.

About two months later, Kelver was involved in an altercation with a man outside the Crowbar in Laramie. Court documents say that after a verbal clash — the contents of which are disputed — Kelver approached the man.

The man shoved Kelver, who fell to the ground, and Kelver pulled a firearm and chambered a round before pointing the pistol at the man, the affidavit alleges.

This case is ongoing, with Kelver’s attorney Andrew Holcomb, and Kelver, both promising to pursue a 

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Byrd cast the case as an instance of biased enforcement, and said it highlights the need to reaffirm universal Second Amendment and due process rights for everyone.

“The Kelver case is bigger than one bartender, one crosswalk, and one night in Laramie,” wrote Byrd, who’s also a former legislator, in a Wednesday Facebook post. “It’s a test of whether the Second Amendment means what it says  for everyone.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kelver Statement"}]

Kelver responded to that claim with cautious statements in a Wednesday phone interview.

“There is a plethora of opportunity for me to be a victim of bias in this, but there’s a lot of evidence we need to address properly, through the legal channels, and kind of go forward with this in a way that is respectful to the legal process,” said Kelver. 

“So I am not intending to make any accusatory statements about how this was handled on the police department’s side or the judicial side at the moment,” Kelver added.

Laramie Police Department Lt. Craig Lenhardt declined Wednesday to comment on the case on the department’s behalf.

Albany County Attorney Kurt Britzius, who is prosecuting this case, did not return an email and phone message request for comment by publication.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kelver delivered another comment via phone."}]

“I fully respect the legal process and intend to address the facts in court, not necessarily anymore in the media,” Kelver said. “I did not go looking for confrontation. I genuinely believed my safety was threatened and my actions were taken in response to that threat.”

Kelver voiced confidence that, “when all the facts are heard in the proper setting it will be clear that this was a defensive response to a frightening situation. I just ask that 

 not rush to judgment based on incomplete information.”

Kelver faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $12,000 in fines if convicted. 

The charges are aggravated assault (up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines), possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent (up to five years in prison and $1,000 in fines), and interference with a peace officer (up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"First, Court Documents"}]

Kelver was standing outside the Crowbar at about 10 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2025

 an altercation unfolded after a man shouted something about the bar.

[{"type":"text","text":"Most of the other facts of the case are disputed."}]

Laramie Police Department Officer Hunter Rope wrote in an affidavit filed two days later that he, Rope, was called to respond to 2nd and Ivinson streets on a report of a fight and a person drawing a handgun.

[{"type":"text","text":"Rope spoke with Kelver on scene."}]

“Kelver stated they pulled out a knife during the involvement, but did own a firearm supposedly located in her vehicle,” says the affidavit. “Kelver stated they were a transgender woman and Native American.”

Earlier in the evening, Kelver was near that intersection when a man, later identified as Scott Durham, yelled, “Hey, the Crowbar should be closing, you bunch of fa*s,” the affidavit relates from Kelver’s interview.

The affidavit doesn’t list Durham’s full name, but a December court document recounting the county attorney’s office’s efforts to find out if Durham wanted restitution does. That document says Durham did not ask for restitution.

[{"type":"text","text":"Cowboy State Daily has been unable to contact Durham.  "}]

Kelver grew agitated and confronted Durham, asking, “What the f*** did you just say,” according to Kelver’s account of the incident in the affidavit.

[{"type":"text","text":"Durham reportedly shoved Kelver to the ground."}]

Kelver described to Rope trying to draw a knife, “but dropped it when she hit the ground.”

Officers searched the intersection and didn’t find the knife, the affidavit says.

The teal-colored .308-caliber firearm Kelver had allegedly claimed was in the car was, rather, in Kelver’s side bag — a thick leather satchel — wrote Rope.

Rope handed that to another officer for that officer to clear it, the document says, adding, “a live round was found in the chamber.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Other Account"}]

In Durham’s account, Durham was walking north on the sidewalk across from the bar and yelled “f*** the Crowbar” because he likes the Buckhorn Bar better.

Kelver demanded to know what Durham had said, he repeated his statement, and Kelver — hand on hip — walked toward Durham and the other people with Durham, the latter alleged in his own account.

Durham reportedly said Kelver’s hand was in a black side bag, and Kelver approached Durham “aggressively.”

Kelver and Holcomb both told Cowboy State Daily in separate Wednesday interviews that this was a “three-on-one” situation, and two other people were with Durham.

Durham and another person, whom the affidavit calls “A.S.,” turned and walked west on the crosswalk toward the Buckhorn Bar, but Kelver “got face to face” with Durham, hand still in the bag, the document says.

Durham pushed Kelver away, causing Kelver to fall. Kelver drew a handgun from the bag in which Kelver’s hand had been nestled during the approach, the affidavit alleges.

[{"type":"text","text":"Durham and A.S. kept walking away."}]

Kelver “racked the gun and pointed it at” Durham’s head, Rope recounted from Durham’s account.

A.S., in his interview, said he believed part of the gun was blue, reportedly.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Witnesses And Cameras"}]

A witness reportedly said he heard Durham and Kelver yelling back and forth, watched Kelver cross the street with one hand in the side bag, watched Durham push Kelver to the ground, then heard a gun being racked and saw Kelver point the gun at Durham.

Another witness, “E.B.,” whom the affidavit calls a friend of Durham’s, attested that Durham had said “f*** the Crowbar,” reportedly.

E.B.  said he saw Kelver on the ground pointing a gun at Durham’s head as Durham walked away, Rope relates from that interview.

When police reviewed area cameras, they saw Kelver approach Durham in the crosswalk and Durham push Kelver, the affidavit says.

“Kelver appeared to stumble and fell on her back,” wrote Rope. “After falling, Kelver appeared to pull out a firearm, pull back the slide, load the firearm, and point it.”

Informed of the video’s contents, Kelver allegedly “stated she did not recall pulling the firearm during the altercation.”

Kelver described carrying the gun due to having been stalked the previous night, and for personal safety, the document adds.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kelver was arrested."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A Little Law"}]

Wyoming has a law saying people who act in self-defense “shall” not be prosecuted for it.

Courts have answered that mandate by forming the “John’s hearing,” where a person charged with a violent crime can try to show evidence that makes it apparent, at first glance, that that person acted with self-defense.

Then the prosecutor gets a chance to overcome that by showing by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the defendant didn’t act with self defense.

 to dismiss cases at this stage. Often, they 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Self Defense Mission"}]

“Oh yeah, absolutely,” said Holcomb regarding whether Kelver will ask for a John’s hearing.

But first, Kelver faces a June 24 arraignment in Albany County District Court.

John’s hearings are challenging because they’re difficult to win without calling one’s client to testify, said Holcomb. And that takes a lot of preparation.

As to Byrd’s claim of bias in this case, Holcomb said, “That’s something that only the investigating officer and to some degree Kurt (Britzius) would be able to answer — why they only charged my client and not this other guy.”

As of Wednesday, no criminal charges for Durham had surfaced in the public-facing court file.

[{"type":"text","text":"This was one of Byrd’s points in support of his bias claim."}]

Holcomb said he feels this is an important case and looks forward to fighting it.

“I think that it’s important we all have the same rights, not only the Second Amendment right to defend yourself, but we all have the right to due process and trial,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to ensuring that Rihanna’s rights are protected throughout the rest of this process.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Saga"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The Albany County Attorney’s Office charged Kelver on Sept. 15."}]

The prosecutor negotiated at length with Kelver’s first attorney, Linda DeVine, the case file indicates.

In November, Britzius knocked the charges down to two misdemeanors instead of two felonies and one misdemeanor. Those two misdemeanors were reckless endangering (up to one year in jail), as well as the interference charge already mentioned.

In December while Kelver faced only misdemeanors, the defendant sent a letter to the misdemeanor-level judge who was expected to handle the case, Judge Robert Sanford, apologizing for using the gun.

“I do not wish to spend any time attempting to garner sympathy nor victimhood,” wrote Kelver, according to the court file. “I wish to offer my sincerest apologies and condolences to your court and to my community.”

Kelver maintained that “the assault” Kelver endured was not right, but “did not give me the right to react the way I did.”

“I am deeply sorry for this,” wrote Kelver. “I know I will do what is right to resolve this.”

[{"type":"text","text":"But then the negotiations appear to have fallen apart."}]

DeVine asked for the court to delay Kelver’s change-of-plea hearing multiple times, and wrote in February that the state and defense were “still working out details on sentencing recommendations.”

In March, Britzius’ office ratcheted the case back up to the felony level.

Sanford found probable cause to send it to the higher felony-level court on May 27. Albany County District Court Judge Misha Westby is overseeing the case now.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"More About Self Defense"}]

As for self-defense, state law basically says self-defense is appropriate when it reciprocates an actual or threatened, reasonably perceived threat.

Defensive force is reasonable when someone in the defender’s situation would judge it necessary to prevent an injury or loss, and no more.

Deadly force is appropriate if necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to oneself or others.

A person attacked in a place where lawfully present 

 have a duty to retreat, as long as the person isn’t engaged in a crime, and isn’t the initial aggressor.

Capitol bathroom Kelver 6 3 26

<title>Transgender Bathroom Protestor Faces Felony Assault Charge, Claims Self-Defense | Cowboy State Daily</title>

The transgender Laramie resident who protested Wyoming’s cross-sex access ban for public bathrooms at the Capitol last summer is now waging a self-defense argument in a felony assault case. “I did not go looking for confrontation,” said Rihanna Kelver.

Transgender Bathroom Protestor Faces Felony Assault Charge, Claims Self-Defense

Kolby fedore

Kolby Fedore

Law Enforcement

Cheyenne police are evaluating whether a man could face criminal charges for setting fire to a book, tossing it into the main branch of the Laramie County Library and pulling a fire alarm, forcing an evacuation of the building.

The man walked into the library at 2200 Pioneer Ave. Monday morning carrying his own copy of the young-adult novel “Paper Towns,” says the Cheyenne Police Department. 

A short time later, library staff were extinguishing a burning book, evacuating the building and waiting for first responders after the man allegedly dumped a milkshake on the floor, tossed the smoldering novel into the building and pulled a fire alarm. 

The incident remains under investigation, and the CPD says it is still evaluating whether criminal charges are appropriate.

According to police, the man left on foot before officers arrived, then later contacted police and said he wanted to turn himself in. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

[{"type":"text","text":"No injuries or property damage were reported."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Milkshake, Fire Alarm And A Burning Book"}]

Joelle Ashley, marketing and communications manager for the Laramie County Library System, said the man bought the milkshake from the library cafe before intentionally dumping it on the floor.

He then lit his personal copy of "Paper Towns" on fire and threw it into the library's entrance area, pulled an alarm, and left, Ashley said.

While police said the book did not continue burning once it landed inside, Ashley said library employees quickly extinguished it and began emergency procedures out of caution. The alarm prompted the library to clear out. 

"Safety is something we take very seriously at the Laramie County Library," said Ashley. "We are incredibly proud of our staff's response.

“They were very professional; they were very responsible. They immediately picked up the book, extinguished the fire, and then got everybody out of the building safely."

Staff and patrons remained outside until first responders determined it was safe to return.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Why ‘Paper Towns'"}]

One question that remains unanswered is why the man chose to burn particular book and if the act was some kind of a statement or just random vandalism.

Ashley confirmed the title was "Paper Towns," a young-adult novel that has appeared on lists of frequently challenged books compiled by the American Library Association.

However, she stressed that the library has no information about the man's motivation and is not drawing any conclusions from the choice of title.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"I obviously cannot speculate on his motives at all,\" Ashley said."}]

The John Green young adult novel has been targeted for removal by school districts across the nation over its sexual themes and use of profanity.

[{"type":"text","text":"Police likewise report they have not identified a motive."}]

Instead, investigators say the incident may have been connected to a mental health crisis rather than criminal intent.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Charges Still Under Review"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The investigation remains active."}]

Police said surveillance footage and physical evidence were collected from the library following the incident. They have identified the man involved but have not publicly released his name.

Meanwhile, library officials say they are grateful the situation ended without injuries and proud of the staff members who responded when a routine Monday morning suddenly became anything but routine.

Ashley said she is unaware of a similar incident ever happening at the library.

Laramie County Library Cheyenne IMG 6436 6 3 26

<title>Man Sets Fire To Controversial Book In Cheyenne Library, Then Pulls Alarm | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Cheyenne police are evaluating whether a man could face charges for setting fire to a book, tossing it into the Laramie County Library and pulling a fire alarm. The book he burned, “Paper Towns,” has been targeted by some school districts for removal.

Man Sets Fire To Controversial Book In Cheyenne Library, Then Pulls Alarm

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: This story has been updated to reflect the Goshen County Sheriff's Office confirms a suspect has been identified, and that if criminal charges are filed that will be up to the Goshen County Attorney's Office.

The family of two Rottweilers found dead and mutilated in the North Platte River near Torrington says Goshen County Sheriff

s Office representatives have told them someone has turned himself in and admitted to shooting the dogs.

Angelica Garcia, whose parents owned the dogs named Django and Hildy, said that members of the sheriff’s office informed the family on Wednesday that a person had come forward and admitted to shooting the animals.

According to Garcia, investigators declined to identify the suspect, citing concerns for that person's safety.

The case has drawn statewide attention since Friday, when the dogs disappeared after getting loose from their family's property and were later found dead by a mother and her son near a popular fishing area along the North Platte River.

Garcia told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that she believes the dogs 

The family has previously claimed the dogs were shot, their collars removed, and their bodies left in the river. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those allegations.

Goshen County Sheriff Kory Fleenor confirmed Wednesday his office does have a suspect, who is not in custody. His identity isn't being released at this time, and it will be up to the Goshen County attorney to decide if criminal charges are appropriate.

"This was an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," Fleenor said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Family Says Objection To Online Posts"}]

Garcia said the revelation about the alleged suspect came during a tense conversation with investigators.

According to Garcia, members of the sheriff's office expressed frustration with videos and information the family has shared online about the case and took issue with some of the media coverage surrounding the deaths of Django and Hildy.

She said the sheriff's office expressed frustration with Pamela Garcia for videos and information the family shared online.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"We're not taking anything down,\" Garcia said."}]

The deaths of the dogs sparked a wave of public reaction after the family posted photographs and videos online and launched a petition demanding answers about what happened.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"$2,500 Reward Offered"}]

As questions continue to surround the case, Animal Wellness Action announced it is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for what the organization describes as the unlawful killing of the dogs.

The reward was announced before Garcia said the family learned that someone had allegedly admitted to shooting the animals.

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, said he was not aware of any tips submitted to the organization as of this week, but that rewards often motivate witnesses and others with information to come forward.

"The reward really is the driver of that information," Pacelle said. "Once people understand that there's a reward, that is a very important incentive for people to participate in the process of helping law enforcement."

Pacelle said his organization became involved because of what he views as a well-established connection between animal cruelty and broader patterns of violence.

"There's a tremendous link between malicious acts of cruelty and other crimes and other social violence," he said.

Pacelle pointed to research linking animal cruelty to domestic violence and other criminal behavior.

"It's often a precursor or a red flag of someone who is going to commit other acts of violence," he said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Echoes Of The Cody Roberts Case"}]

Animal Wellness Action and its sister organization, the Center for a Humane Economy, were also involved in the high-profile case of Cody Roberts, the Daniel man who pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty after chasing down a wolf with a snowmobile and later displaying the severely injured animal in a bar.

Pacelle said the facts in the Torrington case remain unclear and stopped short of directly comparing the two incidents.

[{"type":"text","text":"Still, he said both cases raise concerns about how animals are treated."}]

"The common theme is just a contempt for the life of an innocent animal," he said.

Pacelle said the organization hopes the reward and public attention surrounding the case will encourage anyone with information to come forward.

"It does matter a great deal," he said. "People may not be aware of the correlation between animal cruelty and human criminality and violence, and we really want to underscore that."

Rottweilers and torrington 6 3 26

<title>Torrington Family Says Suspect Turns Self In For Shooting Mutilated Rottweilers | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A Torrington family says the Goshen County Sheriff’s Office told them a suspect turned himself in for shooting their Rottweilers, whose mutilated bodies were found in the North Platte River. The sheriff’s office confirms there is a suspect in the case.

Torrington Family Says Suspect Turns Self In For Shooting Mutilated Rottweilers

A Lincoln County contractor could be facing serious criminal charges after allegedly beating a man, threatening him with a shovel, taking his phone and coercing him into signing over a truck and equipment during a daylong 

Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Kale McGee outline the allegations in a 12-page affidavit filed Friday and made available Tuesday, seeking charges of aggravated blackmail and battery against Thomas John Robinson.

mother called 911 from Afton, reporting her son had been held against his will and was covered in blood, wrote McGee. 

The sheriff's deputy arrived to find the man wearing a white shirt stained with dried blood. McGee wrote that he also had dried blood near his nose and fresh bruising on his face.

The man claims Robinson arrived at his Thayne-area home around 10 a.m. demanding repayment from a failed equipment deal.

Robinson money, but said he couldn't immediately pay him, and that Robinson could not simply take vehicles and equipment 

He said he "originally owed Robinson $30,000, but Robinson kept bumping the price up.” 

The alleged victim said that Robinson then grabbed him by his sweatshirt collar, threw him to the ground and climbed on top of him, wrote McGee. 

"He popped me,” the man told investigators, later reported pain in his ribs, face, and mouth.

Next, he said Robinson loaded up a trailer and skid steer onto the man's truck and hauled him to a property on Rock Farm Road outside Etna.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Threats And A Shovel "}]

Once at the property, the man told investigators that the confrontation escalated, according to the affidavit.

He said Robinson began videotaping him and humiliating him while accusing him of fraud.

In a video taken by a witness, Robinson tells the man, "I honestly can't believe there's people like you around in this world,” the affidavit says. "Every one of us as a god — civilization and a community. 

"Every one of us that's a normal mother f***er that goes and works for their money needs to come together and f***ing catch people like you and string you up and flog you daily." 

In the video, Robinson calls the man a "piece of shit" multiple times, wrote McGee. "Like I said, I got him by the balls. I got him right by the balls; he just forfeited his truck and equipment to me and agreed to do so."

The man claimed Robinson threatened to hit him in the back of the head with a shovel and "bury him,” and also told him that he would come after him if he went to the cops. 

Robinson also allegedly threatened to burn down the man's house with his children inside and to "take him out of the community," again referencing striking him with a shovel, according to the affidavit.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Robinson Tells A Different Story"}]

Robinson acknowledged to the sheriff’s office that he confronted the other man over money, but described the encounter very differently.

According to McGee, Robinson told investigators he had been trying for months to recover money he believed was owed to him.

Robinson said he discovered the man had recently acquired a truck, trailer and skid steer despite owing him money.

McGee wrote that Robinson told investigators the man voluntarily drove the equipment to Robinson's property and later agreed to sign over his truck and equipment as collateral 

Robinson denied bloodying the man, telling investigators that he told him he was free to leave and ultimately agreed to work off the debt.

McGee wrote that Robinson produced six invoices totaling $43,589.16 and documents allegedly signed by the man transferring the truck as collateral.

Before investigators arrived at the property to talk to Robinson, they learned that he had an active warrant out to Idaho with full extradition. 

When they told Robinson there was a warrant for his arrest out of Fremont County, Idaho, Robinson began "using vulgar language and became agitated," wrote McGee. "He refused to let me place him in handcuffs behind his back and told me that he had shoulder issues.” 

He was ultimately placed in handcuffs and taken to the Lincoln County Detention Center, but according to the sheriff's department, he is no longer there. 

Court records in Fremont County, Idaho, show Robinson had been facing a felony DUI charge there. 

A Lincoln County man is accused of beating a man to coerce him to sign over a truck and equipment during a daylong shakedown over a debt. “Catch people like you and string you up and flog you daily,” police say the contractor threatens on video.

Daily Cartoon: Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Michael P. Ramirez

Cartoonist

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Daily Cartoon: Wednesday, October 19, 2022

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Michael P. Ramirez

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