CASPER — A homeless man who spontaneously told a judge during a Wednesday court hearing that he “killed somebody” has now been charged with second-murder.
James Franklin Mavigliano, 44, was arrested at a local motel Tuesday where police found someone dead, the Casper Police Department reported Friday. The report also confirms Mavigliano was arrested at the scene Tuesday on a probation violation.
It was while he was in court the next day on the probation violation hearing when he told the judge, “I killed somebody last night for protecting a woman. I place God’s mercy on you all, and don’t judge.”
Charged
Department spokesperson Amber Freestone reports in a Friday press release that Mavigliano has now been charged with second-degree murder related to the incident at Topper Motel, 728 E. A St., in Casper.
Officers were called to the motel at about 10 p.m. Tuesday on a report of someone “unconscious.” They found Chance T. Arias, 28, of Evansville dead.
Arias had “injuries consistent with a recent physical altercation,” Freestone states in the news release.
Mavigliano was charged Thursday in Casper Circuit Court.
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.
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 Mavigliano’s hearing Wednesday, Collier ordered his probation revoked and for him to serve a 90-day jail sentence.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
