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.
In line with 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, that means the cost will stand and the prosecution will transfer ahead, based on Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.
Roberts’ legal professional had argued the felony cost needs to be thrown out, however Decide Lavery rejected that declare, discovering there may be 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 court docket remains to be awaiting a ruling on whether or not Kenneth Mills, lead wolf biologist with the Wyoming Sport and Fish Division, shall be allowed to testify as an skilled witness, a call that may very well 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 photographs 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, holding 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 beneath advisement and didn’t challenge an instantaneous ruling. No motions had 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 court docket additionally addressed disputes over skilled testimony. Prosecutors plan to name wolf biologist Kenneth Mills to testify about regular wolf habits, which they are saying is related as to whether the animal suffered whereas restrained inside a bar. The protection is in search of to exclude the testimony, arguing it’s opinion-based and out of doors Mills’ particular experience.
Roberts’ authorized workforce continues to depend on Wyoming State Statute 6-3-1008, which allows predators to be killed “in any method.” Prosecutors argue the case shouldn’t be about searching, however in regards to the therapy of a reside animal whereas beneath human management.
Potential jury choice might start on February 12, 2026, with a five-day trial presumably 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 look forward to the choice to be handed down (and don’t assist interference with the authorized course of), we encourage you to make your voice heard with Congress by taking motion right now at TeamWolf.org. If the Home’s anti-wolf invoice passes the Senate, will probably be immune from judicial assessment. 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 international 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 by way of a bar and ultimately killing her.
