Uinta County Prosecutor Loretta Howieson-Kallas has officially announced that the state will not seek the death penalty in the case of Skyler Gray, who is accused of murdering 48-year-old Jeremy Jaques in Fort Bridger, Wyoming, in August.
In a filing submitted to Uinta County District Court on November 13, Howieson-Kallas stated that “the state will not seek the death penalty in the event of a conviction herein.” As a result, Gray, 36, now faces the potential for life imprisonment if convicted of first-degree murder. His jury trial is scheduled to begin on March 18, 2025.
Details of the Murder
The alleged murder took place on the evening of August 31, 2024, in a neighborhood near the Fort Bridger post office. Prosecutors say Gray confronted Jeremy Jaques, shouting that Jaques “owed” him. After closing the distance, Gray fired at Jaques six times, and then shot at him four more times once Jaques had fallen to the ground.
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According to court documents and testimonies, Gray then fled the scene in his vehicle. Law enforcement and emergency responders arrived to find Jaques dead, with 10 shell casings at the scene.
Legal Context: Death Penalty in Wyoming
Although Wyoming is a state that allows the death penalty, the process for imposing such a sentence is rigorous. If convicted of first-degree murder, the defendant faces a second jury trial to determine whether the death penalty should be pursued. For the jury to impose the death sentence, it must confirm at least one aggravating circumstance, such as the murder being especially heinous, cruel, or part of a pattern of continuing violence.
Additional Charges: Accessory After the Fact
Alongside Skyler Gray, his wife, 34-year-old Shadawn Oehler, faces charges of accessory after the fact to murder. Authorities allege that Oehler assisted Gray in disposing of the weapon by throwing it out of their vehicle after they fled the scene. She is set for a scheduling conference on November 27 in Evanston Circuit Court.
Conclusion
Skyler Gray’s case is set for trial in March, where he will face first-degree murder charges with the possibility of life imprisonment. With the decision not to seek the death penalty, Gray’s fate will depend on the jury’s determination regarding his guilt and potential sentencing. Meanwhile, Oehler’s role in the crime will be addressed in a separate court proceeding later this month.