An Evanston man who claimed in a violent, profanity-laced video that his neighbors and Democrats are trying to take his property is sane enough to stand trial, a Uinta County judge has determined.
Robert W. Vawdrey, 62, had filed a motion to plead not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency, but a psychological evaluation determined he’s mentally fit to face the charges against him.
He’s charged with two felony counts of intimidating witnesses and two counts of violating a stalking order of protection, according to court documents.
The charges stem from an explosive video Vawdrey posted to Facebook that drew the attention of the FBI, where he repeatedly threatened to kill his next-door neighbors, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
“I will f***ing shoot you in the head, I’m going to,” he says in the video, according to the affidavit. “I’m going to f***ing shoot you.”
Vawdrey was already out of jail on bond for stalking the couple and was subject to an active protection order against him when the video was posted.
Apparently referring to not being able to legally own firearms because of previous legal trouble, Vawdrey says he’s going to get one anyway.
“They took my guns, I’m going to buy another one and I’m going to shoot ’em with it,” his rant continues, the affidavit says. “I’m gonna go in their house, kick their f***ing door in and beat ’em to death.”
Democrats, Too
His tirade isn’t just focused on his neighbors.
“Vawdrey goes on to talk about the state of the country and the Democrats,” the affidavit says. “He states they are trying to take his property and got an attorney out of Jackson to take his property.
“He then says, ‘But they’re gonna get a bullet in the f***ing head is what they’re gonna get.’”
Vawdrey also boasts about being on TV because of what he vows to do to his neighbors, the affidavit says.
While he repeatedly says he’s going to shoot people in the head, Vawdrey also reportedly makes paranoid claims about one of the neighbors planting a makeshift bomb targeting him by parking a truck next to either a gas or oil well.
Sheriff’s Office Also Out To Get Him
It’s not clear from the affidavit if Vawdrey ever specifies what the property dispute is about that has him so riled up.
While in custody of the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office after his arrest, Vawdrey allegedly wanted to know what he could get away with during the time before going to court on his most recent charges.
“During the transport, Vawdrey asked when he would go to court,” says the affidavit, written by Deputy Calvin Robinson. “I informed him that it was up to the court but would most likely be on Monday.
“He then asked if he punched people before then if he would be ‘exempt.’ I told him that he would only stack more charges if he did so.”
A short time after that, Vawdrey allegedly began to also accuse the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office of conspiring with his neighbors to take his property, the affidavit says.
“He immediately began telling me that if he went to prison, he would get out and hunt everyone down,” the document continues. “He would come into their house and beat them to death and everybody at the sheriff’s department also. I did not respond to any of these comments.”
With the order that Vawdrey is fit to proceed to face his charges, a trial date hasn’t been set.
Both charges of intimidating a witness carry penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Violating stalking order of protection charges carry penalties of up to six months in jail and a $750 fine.
Vawdrey remains in the Uinta County jail.
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
