32-year-old Jason Tsosie John pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder Tuesday in Casper.
Prosecutors say John shot and killed 29-year-old Wesley Willow Jr. inside John’s trailer house on August 3rd after an argument between John and Willow’s then-girlfriend.
Willow was a former Ethete resident, who had apparently been living in Cheyenne and working in northern Colorado.
John said that Willow, another man, and his girlfriend confronted him at his home. He claimed shooting Willow was in self defense.
K2 Radio reports that witnesses say that Willow approached John’s home and was killed by gunfire while standing on the porch.
Casper Police records indicated that Willow was 5’7 and 160 lbs while John is 6’4 and 275 lbs. K2 Radio’s report said investigators found multiple bullet wounds on Willow’s body, which appeared to have been fired from above him.
John is charged with a single count of first-degree murder. If convicted, the charge could carry life in prison or death.
Assistant District Attorney Trevor Schenk told District Judge Catherine Wilking Tuesday that prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.
More details from K2 Radio here.