A Lyman man who shot a local tattoo artist about 10 times during a Fort Bridger summer festival last August was sentenced Monday to between 50 and 75 years in prison.
Skyler Gray, 37, was also ordered to pay $8,440 in restitution to cover the funeral costs for his victim, 48-year-old Jeremy Jaques.
The evening of Aug. 31, 2024, Gray arrived at a home near the Fort Bridger Rendezvous with his children and wife.
Jaques was visiting the home, doing tattoos for people that day, according to statements the homeowner gave Monday during Gray’s sentencing hearing.
While the two men talked inside the home in front of people Jaques was tattooing, their discussion moved outside, and Gray shouted that Jaques “owed” him, according to court documents and testimony.
They had a dispute over money and a couch, according to statements given in court Monday.
Gray retrieved a gun. Jaques struck Gray in the face, knocking the latter down, Wyoming State Public Defender Brandon Booth said in court.
But Jaques started to retreat from the conflict, Uinta County Attorney Loretta Howieson Kallas countered during her own argument.
Then, Gray shot Jaques about 10 times, including six times in his back, Kallas said.
Booth added that at this juncture, “My client, frankly, opens fire without justification.”
At least six people witnessed this.
Gray drove off but was later arrested. He had a seizure once placed in a patrol car, Booth noted.
Gray’s wife was accused of helping him cover his tracks by throwing the gun out the window as Gray fled, but the jury acquitted her in June. She told Cowboy State Daily at the time that she wants to carry on with her life and take care of her children.
Booth indicated that Gray’s shooting attack on Jaques was unjustifiable but still a “reaction” to a prolonged argument, or “beef.” It was a clash of two egos, Booth said, adding that Jaques wasn’t the type to back down, and that Jaques had struck Gray before Gray shot.
Gray’s blood-alcohol content was 0.134% at that time, Booth added.
He also hinted at a paradox and rapid escalation: Gray had been selling raffle tickets with his child earlier that day and riding around with his kids in the car.
Kallas said “reaction” isn’t the correct characterization.
The evidence shows, rather, that Gray grabbed the gun, cocked it and charged Jaques, while Jaques had simply gone outside to retrieve more tattooing supplies since he had people scheduled for the whole day during the festival, said the prosecutor.
“There’s no question Mr. Gray did go to the ground,” said Kallas. “There’s also no question that after a single strike Mr. Jaques backed up. He withdrew. He didn’t keep going after Skyler.”
‘Ruined These Kids’ Lives’
Jaques left behind several children and some grandchildren.
His sister, mother, daughter and other family members testified Monday.
Theresa Charon, Jaques' sister, told the court that Gray “ruined these kids’ lives” and ruined his own children’s lives by “bringing a gun to a fistfight.”
Charon voiced consternation toward part of Booth’s argument on Gray’s behalf as well.
“His accountability is stupid,” said Charon. “Like, I’m drunk so I just shot somebody? That’s stupid. It’s not even fair.”
Jaques’ daughter Jocelyn Lennon called Gray a “disgusting, worthless coward.”
“My dad deserved to be a father and a grandpa, and you ripped that from him,” she said.
Debra Charon, Jaques’ mother, said he was her firstborn.
He had “the biggest personality” and “so much charisma” that people wanted to be in his orbit.
“And I know that Skyler was just being Skyler, doing what he does,” said Debra Charon. “And no anger I’ve felt towards him is going to change who he is. But I miss my son – every breathing moment. So I just wanted you to know who Skyler took away from us.”
A Judge Torn
Booth and Kallas both asked for a 50-to-75-year sentence for second degree murder in accordance with Gray’s plea agreement, which dropped down from the first-degree murder charge he originally faced.
With two-thirds of the bottom number being good time, Gray could face a parole board as early as age 71, Booth noted.
Uinta County District Court Judge James Kaste voiced inner turmoil when it came to his most pivotal decision in the matter: whether to accept that plea agreement.
Some family members said and many in the community likely feel that Gray should never have a chance at freedom, the judge noted.
But the plea agreement represents the judgments of the two attorneys weighing the case and coming to shared number, he added.
Kaste also noted the “small” mitigating factors, namely that Gray is a family man whose family members came to court. He pleaded guilty and took accountability. And if he does get out of prison, it will probably be “with a walker,” Kaste added.
“I’m very sorry that we’re here under these circumstances and that no answer — no answer that I could give you would be satisfactory,” said Kaste to Jaques’ family. “No answer brings back a person you love and for that I’m truly sorry for all of you.”
When it was Gray’s turn to speak, he opted to stay silent.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
