CASPER — A 44-year-old homeless man confessed to killing someone during his video probation revocation hearing in Casper Circuit Court on Wednesday.
Jame Franklin Mavigliano told Circuit Court Judge Nichole Collier that he’s homeless, struggling with mental illness and trying to pull his life together, but also that he killed “somebody.”
Court records show a warrant had been issued for his arrest Jan. 26 for violating terms of his probation related to a domestic assault charge.
“As of Jan. 18, 2024, said defendant absconded from supervision and his whereabouts are unknown,” an affidavit for revocation states.
The affidavit states Mavigliano failed to to report to his probation officer on three occasions in January.
‘Don’t Judge’
During his video appearance while responding to questions from Collier on the probation violation, Mavigliano asked the court “not to judge” him.
Then he told the court that, “I killed somebody last night for protecting a woman. I place God’s mercy on you all, and don’t judge.”
Shortly before Mavigliano’s hearing, the Casper Police Department issued a news release detailing an incident in the 700 block of East A Street on Tuesday where police discovered a man dead on the floor. The Topper Motel is located on that block.
“The officers observed an unconscious male lying on the floor with injuries consistent with a physical alteration,” spokesperson Amber Freestone reports in the press release. “A suspect was interviewed and taken in(to) police custody while witnesses and neighboring parties were contacted by officers.”
No Confirmation
When asked if his confession was related to the incident, Natrona County Assistant District Attorney Maridi Choma, who was in the courtroom handling Mavigliano’s probation case, said she had no comment.
Freestone said she could not confirm Mavigliano was the person arrested Tuesday at the scene where the dead man was found.
Court records show that Mavigliano pleaded no contest to domestic assault Dec. 1. 2023, and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation. He was arrested Dec. 26, 2023, for public intoxication and told his probation agent that he was “drinking alcohol and huffing air duster.”
At his probation hearing Wednesday, Collier ordered his probation revoked and for him to serve a 90-day jail sentence.
Freestone said she did not have more information on the person found deceased and that next of kin are being notified.
The investigation is ongoing.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
