CASPER — A 17-year-old Casper girl was bound over to Natrona County District Court on Thursday, accused of stabbing another 17-year-old girl on Halloween.
During a preliminary hearing, a video clip that captured the stabbing in the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center parking lot concludes with someone yelling, “Oh, shit!”
Gabriella Kathleen Aultman sat beside her court-appointed attorney Marty Scott for the hearing on a charge of aggravated assault and battery before Judge Nichole Collier. She wore the red jumpsuit of the Juvenile Detention Center and was in handcuffs and shackles.
Aultman spoke briefly with Scott prior to the hearing and was seen flashing a smile to her parents who sat in the courtroom.
Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen walked Casper Police Detective Tiffany Elhart through the events of that night recorded in a police affidavit about Aultman’s alleged actions.
She’s accused of using a machete-style knife to stab Willow Wager, referred to in court as “WW,” and statements given to police by witnesses at the scene.
He also her asked about a video that police uncovered in the process of the investigation from a juvenile referred to as “HM”
Elhart said the victim notified investigators about a video that was sent to her and investigators were able to get a copy of it and interview “HM” She said “HM” told investigators that she saw the confrontation between Aultman and the victim.
“She was under the impression that there was going to be a physical fight,” Elhart testified.
Video Evidence
After police reviewed the video, Elhart testifed that the “victim’s arms were up in a surrender position and the victim was asking why it was transpiring.”
Itzen then told the judge that they had a copy of a video to play before the bench. Scott objected.
“I think it’s not necessary for this hearing,” he said.
The judge overruled him.
Itzen, along with Elhart, Scott, and Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson, who held a computer, approached the bench and played a portion of the 2-minute video for Judge Collier.
Audio from the video clip, which could not be seen in the courtroom, included screaming, multiple curses, and at the conclusion someone yelling, “Oh, shit!”
Earlier Elhart recounted how police were called to the center parking lot about 9:25 p.m. and found Wagner bleeding from both her abdomen and left hand.
She said first responders started first aid and rushed the victim to the hospital. Wagner went on to have emergency surgery and faces an additional surgery on her hand, she said.
Elhart testified that statements from witnesses were mostly consistent that the red Durango registered to Aultman’s mother and driven by Aultman’s friend described in court as AL was trying to back up in the parking lot as people had gathered to socialize.
Among the group behind the Durango were Wagner and some others.
No Damage To SUV
Witnesses agreed that Wagner kicked the SUV, and Elhart testified that the victim told police she did it to let those inside know that people were behind them. Itzen asked Elhart if the SUV was examined for evidence of the kick.
“I wasn’t able to find any damage from the kick,” Elhart replied.
Elhart testified that the driver of the Durango told police that they were trying to leave and that she was the “designated driver” because Aultman wanted to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana.
The driver told police that as they went to leave with another juvenile, they were yelling for people to get out of the way.
She said she heard a thump as she reversed, stopped the vehicle and put it in gear to move forward when Aultman jumped out of the passenger-side door with the machete-like knife.
She told police that it was on the center counsel on the passenger side and that Aultman carried it in the vehicle for protection.
Elhart said “AL” told police she saw Aultman approach the victim but did not see the stabbing. Right after that, Aultman got back in the vehicle “and yells, ‘Go, go, go,’” the driver told officers.
The driver said she did not initially understand what happened and that Aultman was crying and saying “she was sorry she did that,” Elhart testified.
The passenger in the Durango, refered to as “MW,” told police she saw Wagner “kick the door and Aultman get out and point the knife tip at the victim, and they were walking toward each other and the blade went into the victim.”
‘Angry And Defensive’
Elhart testified that Aultman and the Durango left the scene and was stopped by Natrona County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
In an interview with investigators, Aultman told them that she was “angry and defensive” after her vehicle was kicked. Aultman said that the “victim walked into the blade” and that she “moved her right hand forward slightly” causing it to go into the victim.
Itzen asked about one witness who said that he saw Aultman initially confront Wagner and then go back into the vehicle to get the knife. Elhart testified that was his statement, but nearly every other witness had Aultman getting out of the vehicle initially with the machete-like blade.
Elhart held her hand about 18-inches apart when describing the weapon, and under cross-examination by Scott stated that 4 or 5 inches of it was the handle. She testified part of the blade was serrated.
Elhart told Itzen that “biological” evidence from the stabbing was collected from the Durange and will be tested in a crime lab.
Collier ruled that Elhart’s testimony and the video evidence were enough to bind Aultman over to Natrona County District Court on the charge.
Scott asked the judge to reduce his client’s bond from $100,000 cash or surety to $50,000. He argued that his client is in the juvenile facility and it is hard for him as her attorney to schedule meetings there to speak with her.
He also said her only criminal record was that she was in the youth diversion program for being a minor in possession of alcohol.
He said he understood the current climate in the city with several incidents of youth violence this year but that the “normal bond for an offense of this nature is more like $50,000 cash or surety.”
Scott also said because of crowding at the juvenile facility, classes are not being conducted by the Natrona County School District and that Aultman might not be able to graduate from Roosevelt High School this year.
Itzen argued that bond was appropriate and that the incident happened at a part on a school night with no adult supervision.
Collier said she concerns about the defendant’s “reactions in this case,” but agreed to reduce bond to $75,000 cash or surety under conditions that include Aultman have no contact with the victim or with witnesses in the case.
“Do you have questions about bond?” Collier asked Aultman.
“No, your honor,” Aultman said.
The charge of aggravated assault and battery carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
