UPDATE: Wyoming Choose Denies Dismissal — Cody Roberts’ Felony Animal Cruelty Case Advances

Replace: 2/3/26

Choose 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, based on Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.

Roberts’ lawyer had argued the felony cost must be thrown out, however Choose 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 Courtroom.

The courtroom continues to be awaiting a ruling on whether or not Kenneth Mills, lead wolf biologist with the Wyoming Recreation and Fish Division, shall be allowed to testify as an professional witness, a choice that could possibly 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 pictures 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 Courtroom Choose 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.

Choose Lavery took the matter beneath advisement and didn’t problem a direct ruling. No motions had been granted, and the felony animal cruelty cost stays pending.

Throughout the listening to, Choose 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 habits, which they are saying is related as to if the animal suffered whereas restrained inside a bar. The protection is in search of to exclude the testimony, arguing it’s opinion-based and outdoors 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 just isn’t about looking, however concerning the remedy of a stay animal whereas beneath 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 offer updates because the case proceeds.

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Replace: On January 28, a Wyoming choose will determine 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 await 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 this moment at TeamWolf.org. If the Home’s anti-wolf invoice passes the Senate, will probably 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 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 via a bar and ultimately killing her.

The grand jury, composed of 12 people, decided that Roberts ought to face severe prices, which may lead to as much as two years in jail and $5,000 in fines.

This case has uncovered the egregious flaws in Wyoming’s strategy to wolves, a difficulty conservationists and advocates have been talking out in opposition to for years. In Wyoming, wolves are legally labeled as “predators,” permitting them to be hunted year-round in most elements of the state and leaving them unprotected by the state’s animal cruelty legal guidelines—till now. The indictment exhibits that even beneath these flawed insurance policies, there are limits to what society will tolerate.

It is a vital step towards accountability, however it’s nonetheless a far cry from attaining true justice till Wyoming enacts significant modifications in its strategy to wolves and different apex predators.

Assist wolves by sharing this information to maintain the strain on Wyoming, and take motion right this moment at TeamWolf.org