Replace: 2/25/26
Cody Roberts, a Wyoming man on the heart of a extensively condemned case involving the torture and killing of a feminine wolf has reached a plea settlement that might permit him to keep away from jail time.
Based on courtroom filings in Sublette County District Court docket, Roberts is predicted to withdraw his earlier not responsible plea and enter a plea of responsible or no contest to a felony animal cruelty cost. The settlement should nonetheless be authorized by a choose.
Beneath the phrases of the deal, Roberts faces a possible jail sentence of 18 to 24 months, however that time period can be suspended if he efficiently completes 18 months of supervised probation and pays a $1,000 high-quality.
As a part of his probation, Roberts can be topic to quite a lot of circumstances, together with:
A ban on looking and fishing
Prohibition on consuming alcohol or coming into bars or liquor institutions
Obligatory compliance with really useful habit remedy
Extra commonplace probation necessities may be imposed on the courtroom’s discretion.
If Roberts violates his probation, the suspended jail sentence might be activated, which means he may serve as much as two years behind bars and face extra fines of as much as $4,000.
The plea settlement offers the choose a selection: if the choose refuses to simply accept it, Roberts can be permitted to withdraw his plea and will both go to trial or search a distinct deal.
The case ignited worldwide outrage after video footage surfaced displaying a feminine wolf being tortured, which Roberts took to the again of a bar and shot useless. Wildlife advocates and animal welfare organizations denounced the barbaric act, demanding that Roberts face the total drive of the legislation.
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Replace: 2/12/26
The felony animal cruelty case in opposition to Cody Roberts heads to trial after no plea settlement was reached by the choose’s court-imposed deadline.
Based on Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, yesterday was the choose’s deadline for a plea deal. The choose signaled they wouldn’t transfer ahead with jury choice or different trial proceedings if a deal was nonetheless on the desk.
With no settlement reached, Roberts will now face trial as scheduled.
Jury proceedings are set to start on March ninth at 9:00 a.m. on the Sublette County District Court docket in Pinedale, Wyoming.
The case stems from the torture and brutal killing of a feminine grey wolf, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and intensified requires stronger protections for wildlife.
WAN will proceed to supply updates because the trial unfolds.
__________________________________Replace: 2/3/26
Decide Richard L. Lavery has DENIED the protection’s movement to dismiss the felony animal cruelty cost in opposition to Cody J. Roberts, which means the cost will stand and the prosecution will transfer ahead, in accordance with Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.
Roberts’ legal professional had argued the felony cost must be thrown out, however Decide Lavery rejected that declare, discovering there’s enough proof for the prosecution to pursue the case.
With the movement denied, the clock is now ticking: there are eight days remaining for a plea deal. If no settlement is reached, the case is scheduled to proceed to trial on March 9, 2026, in Sublette County District Court docket.
The courtroom remains to be awaiting a ruling on whether or not Kenneth Mills, lead wolf biologist with the Wyoming Recreation and Fish Division, will likely be allowed to testify as an professional witness, a call that might be essential in presenting scientific proof at trial.
This felony case stems from Roberts’ alleged torture and killing of a feminine wolf in February 2024, an act that sparked nationwide outrage after images and video of the injured animal circulated on-line.
WAN will proceed to intently monitor this case and supply updates because the authorized course of unfolds.
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Replace: 1/29/26
A Wyoming choose has reserved the judgement to dismiss the felony animal cruelty cost in opposition to Cody Roberts for allegedly torturing and killing a feminine wolf in Wyoming, protecting the case on monitor for a jury trial.
On January 28, 2026, Sweetwater County District Court docket Decide Richard Lavery heard arguments on the protection’s movement to dismiss Robert’s case. The protection argued that Wyoming legislation permits predators to be killed “in any method,” claiming the statute exempted Roberts’ actions from animal cruelty legal guidelines.
Decide Lavery took the matter below advisement and didn’t situation an instantaneous ruling. No motions have been granted, and the felony animal cruelty cost stays pending.
Through the listening to, Decide Lavery expressed skepticism towards the protection’s interpretation, stating that totally exempting predators from cruelty legal guidelines “appears a bridge too far.”
The courtroom additionally addressed disputes over professional testimony. Prosecutors plan to name wolf biologist Kenneth Mills to testify about regular wolf conduct, which they are saying is related as to whether the animal suffered whereas restrained inside a bar. The protection is searching for to exclude the testimony, arguing it’s opinion-based and out of doors Mills’ particular experience.
Roberts’ authorized crew continues to depend on Wyoming State Statute 6-3-1008, which allows predators to be killed “in any method.” Prosecutors argue the case isn’t about looking, however in regards to the remedy of a dwell animal whereas below human management.
Potential jury choice may start on February 12, 2026, with a five-day trial probably beginning on March 9. Round 100 potential jurors are anticipated to be summoned.
World Animal Information will proceed to supply updates because the case proceeds.
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Replace: On January 28, a Wyoming choose will resolve whether or not the felony animal-cruelty case in opposition to Cody Roberts strikes ahead—or will get thrown out earlier than ever reaching trial.
Whereas we watch for the choice to be handed down (and don’t help interference with the authorized course of), we encourage you to make your voice heard with Congress by taking motion at this time at TeamWolf.org. If the Home’s anti-wolf invoice passes the Senate, it is going to be immune from judicial overview. Assist put a cease to coverage dictated by politics over science.
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Justice is lastly being served! Eighteen months after Cody Roberts brutally killed a feminine grey wolf, sparking world outrage, Roberts has lastly been indicted by a Wyoming grand jury for felony animal cruelty. In February 2024, Roberts chased down a younger grey wolf with a snowmobile, taped her mouth shut, and tortured her earlier than parading her via a bar and finally killing her.
