A Wyoming man charged on claims he randomly walloped a woman with a golf club, and who was then on the loose for six months until surfacing in Lander this week, pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
Aaron Clair Bigknife, who turns 58 this year, was arrested at the courthouse in Lander on Monday.
Bigknife pleaded not guilty two days later to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
His bond was set at $20,000, unsecured, according to a filing after his arraignment.
The court released Bigknife from jail and ordered him to live at his home in Fort Washakie, stay in Wyoming, avoid drugs and alcohol, submit to any substance testing and searches, have no guns, work at least 30 hours a week and avoid others involved in the case.
His trial is set for May 13 in Cheyenne.
Each assault charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
Golf Club
The alleged victim in the case arrived at the emergency room of Lander’s SageWest Health Care on Aug. 28, 2023 with her face flesh split open and a concussion.
She said Bigknife randomly smacked her in the head with a golf club while she was hanging out at a home party in Fort Washakie.
The party hostess supported her account, saying she kicked Bigknife out of the house before he could strike again.
He seemed angry about something that day, she added, according to the case affidavit
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
