Crime and Courts Reporter

Clair McFarland

Clair McFarland is a general assignment reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Riverton, Wyoming. She specializes in crime and court reporting and social issues coverage. Clair also writes a twice-monthly column on motherhood and country living.

Previously, Clair wrote for The Ranger, the Lander Journal and the Wind River News. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist and poet, who joined Cowboy State Daily on Valentine's Day, 2022.

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Latest from Clair McFarland

President Trump did not call for unity Friday in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, instead calling the radical left “vicious.” Wyoming Democrats say they’re repulsed by the response, but not surprised. They include, clockwise from top left, state Rep. Mike Yin, Rep. Ken Chestek, Sen. Chris Rothfuss and Rep. Karlee Provenza.

Wyoming Democrats Saddened By Trump Reaction To Charlie Kirk Shooting

Wyoming Democrats said they were saddened Friday that President Trump hasn’t called for unity following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Trump, instead, called the radical left “vicious."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 13, 2025

Wyoming legislators on Thursday, including state Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette, debated how to prosecute gambling houses and dealers who operate under the regulatory table — without jailing “grandma and her friends" for friendly poker games.

Legislators Work To Crack Down On Gambling ‘Houses,’ Not Bust Friendly Poker Games

Wyoming legislators on Thursday debated how to prosecute gambling houses and dealers who operate under the regulatory table — without jailing “grandma and her friends" for friendly poker games.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 13, 2025

Green River Woman Accused Of Trying To Kill Disabled Husband With Bailey's Bottle

A former Green River High School counselor is accused to repeatedly smashing a full bottle of Bailey’s liquor into the head of her disabled husband. She was charged Thursday with attempted second-degree murder and abusing a vulnerable adult.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 12, 2025

Hulett faces a heated debate as an anonymous pamphlet proposes changing the school’s “Red Devil” mascot to a hawk. It's promted confusion, community outcry, and school board members seeking answers ahead of a pivotal meeting in October.

Push To Change Hulett Red Devils Mascot Sparks Outcry

Hulett faces a heated debate as an anonymous pamphlet proposes changing the school’s “Red Devil” mascot to a hawk, prompting confusion and community outcry.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2025

Saviol Saint Jean, right, the Haitian trucker who plowed into a crash scene nearly three years ago, killing Rawlins EMT Tyeler Harris, top, and seriously injuring another, Tiffany Gruetzmacher, was found guilty on all charges by a jury Thursday. The trucker collapsed and wept as the verdicts were read.

Jury Finds Haitian Trucker Guilty In Crash That Killed Rawlins EMT

The Haitian trucker who plowed into a crash scene nearly three years ago, killing one Rawlins EMT and seriously injuring another was found guilty on all charges by a jury Thursday. The trucker collapsed and wept as the verdicts were read.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2025

Wyoming Businessman Foster Friess Kick-Started Charlie Kirk's Turning Point Group

The person credited with kick-starting Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization was a rags-to-riches Wyoming businessman who ran for state governor in 2018. Foster Friess saw something in the young conservative crusader, who was killed Wednesday.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2025

Clair McFarland & Rod Miller: Dying For Speech Can't Be The New Normal

Clair McFarland and Rod Miller write: “To accept what happened to Charlie Kirk as par for the course is to say that, in America, bullets are more important than ideas. Don’t take the bait.”

Clair McFarland & Rod MillerSeptember 11, 2025

Jury To Deliberate Fate Of Haitian Trucker Who Killed Rawlins EMT On I-80

Whether Saviol Saint Jean was “threading the needle” to keep driving or reacting poorly to a chaotic scene when he smashed into an ambulance, killing one EMT and injuring another nearly three years ago is now up to a jury after a grueling five-day trial.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2025

Orion Schlesinger, 18, pleaded “not guilty” and ”not guilty by reason of mental illness” in Sublette County District Court.

Man Accused In Big Piney Ambush Says He Had No Idea Friend Was About To Be Killed

A Big Piney man accused of plotting the compound bow ambush death of his 23-year-old friend around Feb. 1 told a judge last week that he had no idea the alleged murder was about to unfold as he walked to his friend’s house that frigid night.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 10, 2025

Taking the stand on day four of his vehicular homicide trial in Rock Springs, Haitian trucker Saviol Saint Jean said moments after the accident, which killed an EMT, he called to God saying, "Oh my God, oh my God, what happened?"

Haitian Trucker Takes Stand In His Defense: 'Oh My God, What Happened?

Taking the stand on day four of his vehicular homicide trial in Green River, Haitian trucker Saviol Saint Jean said moments after the accident, which killed an EMT, he called to God saying, "Oh my God, oh my God, what happened?"

Clair McFarlandSeptember 10, 2025

Wyoming law enforcement officials are warning residents of a scheme whose perpetrators claim child porn has been planted on someone's device, to extort money. It starts with a letter through the U.S. Mail bearing a Canada stamp.

Wyoming Targeted By Threat Of Child Porn Planting In Extortion Scheme

Wyoming law enforcement officials are warning about a scheme whose perpetrators claim child porn has been planted on people's devices to extort money. It starts with a letter through the U.S. Mail bearing a Canada stamp.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2025

The question is not whether Saviol Saint Jean, 46, drove a commercial semitruck and trailer into a parked ambulance and two EMTs walking nearby on the morning of Dec. 21, 2022, as the medics responded to a collision between a commercial truck and enclosed trailer that left both lanes blocked. The question for the jury is whether he behaved “recklessly” enough to commit aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated assault.

State Rests In Trial Of Haitian Trucker Who Killed Rawlins EMT With Semi

The state rested its case Monday in the trial of a Haitian trucker who plowed into an ambulance on Interstate 80 in 2022. The collision killed EMT Tyeler Harris and seriously hurt another in a chaotic scene.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2025

Other Authors

A home on Westview Drive in Riverton where a large law enforcement presence converged starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

FBI Responds To Riverton Man Accused Of Threatening Neighbor With Homemade Napalm

The FBI’s bomb squad responded Sunday to a home in Riverton on reports that a man threatened his neighbor with homemade napalm, police say. Upset with dogs barking at his cats, he’s accused of leaving a note saying, “It’s your turn to die for those dogs."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 08, 2025

Clair McFarland: This Wicked Dodge Charger Really Has Me Thinking

Clair McFarland writes: “‘Oh boy. Dad’s loaner cars are not just loaners. They’re rodded Mustangs or time machines. I’m not kidding – the man once restored a DeLorean. So I got the least conspicuous loaner, really, when Dad handed over Mom’s race rod."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2025

After businessman Reid Rasner sued former Wyoming state Sen. Anthony Bouchard for defamation over public allegations of sexual misconduct, Bouchard doubled down on his claims in a series of court filings.

Bouchard Doubles Down On Misconduct Claim Against Rasner In Court Filings

After Wyoming businessman Reid Rasner sued former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard for defamation, Bouchard doubled down, in a series of court filings, on some of the sexual misconduct allegations that landed him in court in the first place.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2025

Carbon County EMT Tiffany Gruetzmacher, left, was seriously hurt and disabled when a commercial truck plowed into the crash scene she was responding to in December 2022. Her fellow EMT Tyeler Harris, right, was killed.

Haitian Trucker Trial Day Two: Surviving EMT’s Emotional Testimony

In the second day of trial for a Haitian truck driver accused of slamming into two EMTs — killing one — the EMT who survived weathered emotional questioning Friday in Sweetwater County Court.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2025

Rawlins EMT Tyeler Harris was killed Dec. 21, 2022, and his partner working on an ambulance was seriously hurt, when a semitrailer plowed into them while they were responding to a crash on Interstate 80.

Trial Starts For Haitian Trucker Accused Of Plowing Into Crash Scene, Killing EMT

Trial started Thursday for a Haitian trucker accused of plowing into a crash scene on I-80, killing one EMT and severely injuring another. One witness testified the horrific scene is “imprinted in my mind."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 05, 2025

As football season kicks off, Wyoming’s state government owns holdings in DraftKings, fueling debate about the optics of investing public funds in gambling companies.

State Of Wyoming's Investment in DraftKings Feeds Debate Over Gambling Stocks

The State of Wyoming owns about $110,833 worth of shares in sports gambling company DraftKings, the state treasurer’s office confirmed on Thursday. Lawmakers had mixed opinions about the state investing in gambling stocks.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 05, 2025

Wyoming Man Who Took Car With A Baby Inside Gets 8-10 Years In Prison

A 29-year-old man who accidentally stole a baby from a Riverton apartment complex when taking a running vehicle in February was sentenced Thursday to 8-10 years in prison. He may be able to reduce that through the state's boot camp program.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2025

State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, left, and Gov. Mark Gordon.

Wyoming, Other States Flagged For 'Gender Ideology' In Sex-Ed Materials

Wyoming is being warned against keeping what the Trump administration calls "gender ideology" in a federally-funded program's sex-ed materials. It's part of being whiplashed from one administration to the next, Gov. Mark Gordon's office said.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2025

Two women are suing a former Wyoming cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Stewart, on claims they were left mutilated and disfigured. One suffered with a necrotic, ruptured breast and maggots, the lawsuit says, while another had her infected wound “burst open" at work.

Casper Cosmetic Surgeon Denies Wrongdoing In 'Permanent Disfigurement' Lawsuit

A cosmetic surgeon who had worked for the Casper-based New Beautiful You clinic denies wrongdoing in a lawsuit filed by two women who claim he left them sick and disfigured.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2025

Riverton Teen Killed After Snapchat Feud; 22-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge

A fight sparked by social media led to the fatal stabbing of Draven Addison, 14, according to court documents provided to Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday. Alejandro Behan, 22, is charged with second-degree murder and could face life in prison if convicted.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2025

Tharles Smith, an 18-year-old Campbell County man who plunged a knife into his mother’s back last year was sentenced Tuesday to between 20 and 30 years in prison. After he stabbed his mother, Karla Smith, he told her that “you have a knife in your back” and “I stabbed you."

‘I Stabbed You’: 20-30 Years For Wyoming Teen Who Plunged Knife Into Mom’s Back

An 18-year-old Campbell County man who plunged a knife into his mother’s back last year was sentenced Tuesday to between 20 and 30 years in prison. After he stabbed his mother, he told her, “You have a knife in your back” and “I stabbed you."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2025

A view of the terminal at the Sheridan County Airport.

13-Year-Old Girl Dead, Three Hurt In Bighorn National Forest Plane Crash

A 13-year-old girl was found dead and three people were injured and airlifted to care Monday after a plane crash in the Bighorn National Forest. The plane, which is registered to a Sheridan man, crashed about eight minutes after leaving Sheridan's airport.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2025

Fremont County Sheriff's Detective Wes Barry (second from right, in a hat) speaks with other investigators on the scene of a death investigation Saturday morning, Aug. 23, 2025, north of Riverton.

Man Arrested After Casper Standoff Wanted In Stabbing Death Of Riverton Youth

The man Casper police arrested Wednesday after negotiating his surrender is the suspect in the fatal stabbing of a male juvenile last Saturday near Riverton. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday evening Alejandro Behan, 22, has been charged.

Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2025

Interim U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith during a press conference Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, to outline an operation on the Wind River Reservation this week.

90 FBI Agents Swarm Wyoming Reservation For Drugs, Guns Sweep

The FBI had at least 90 personnel on the Wind River Indian Reservation this week as part of a sweeping drug and gun bust, federal authorities said Friday. Interim U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith said the message is clear: “We’re coming for you."

Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025

Brief: Missing 21-Year-Old Found Dead On Wind River Reservation

Searchers found the body of a missing 21-year-old man Monday on the Wind River Indian Reservation, a federal police agency confirmed Friday.

Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025

Daniel McMichael, Anyssa Zancanella, and their daughter Azaylee won’t actually receive the nearly $1 billion in damages a Utah judge ordered a hospital to pay them, due to statutory caps on pain and suffering damages. If all goes well with collections and the hospital doesn’t appeal, the family is looking at closer to $500 million in damages awarded for the botched OB care Anyssa and Azaylee received six years ago.

Judge Awards Nearly $1 Billion To Rock Springs Family Over Botched Baby Delivery

A Utah judge this month awarded nearly $1 billion in damages to a Rock Springs family after a Salt Lake City hospital botched the mother’s baby delivery. The baby suffered "horrific" injuries and is left with lifelong disabilities, court documents say.

Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025

Wyoming Lawmakers Drafting Legislation To Ban Cloud Seeding For 10 Years

After nearly four hours of passionate testimony, a legislative committee voted Thursday to draft legislation that would halt cloud seeding programs in Wyoming for 10 years, and ban geoengineering.

Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025

Now Even A Rock Is Demanding The Release Of The Epstein Files

An oft-painted rock south of the Wyoming-Colorado border is demanding the release of the Epstein files. So are Wyoming leaders on both sides of the political aisle, left and right.

Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2025