All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Fremont County, WY) – The jury trial for murder suspect Kevin Mendibles has been reset for December 16, following a status conference held on August 29, where the hearing was continued and the case was deemed “unusual and complex.”
Mendibles was charged with first degree murder back in May, in relation to the fatal stabbing that occurred on the Wind River Reservation on February 25, 2024, which resulted in the death of 37-year-old Inez Whiteman.
After being charged in May, Mendibles was arrested on or about July 22, then had his initial appearance on July 23, and his arraignment on July 26.
Following the arraignment, the jury trial was set “within the speedy trial clock for September 30, 2024,” federal Court documents state.
However, on August 23, a motion to continue the trial and deem it “unusual and complex for purposes of the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161 et seq.” was filed.
That motion states that the continuance is “necessary,” given the “difficulty inherent in finding and interviewing material and necessary witnesses with a transient lifestyle who are believed to reside on and around the Wind River Indian Reservation as well as the complexity of the issues involved surrounding the death of the victim in this matter.”
The motion goes on to explain that there “has been a total of 6 lay witnesses identified by the government,” and that “all these witnesses appear to be transient in nature and will need to be located and interviewed by the defense.”
“Initial discovery has been exchanged with the defense, and the defense will need additional time to go through that discovery individually and go through it with the Defendant,” the motion continues. “The Defendant is currently housed in Scottsbluff Detention Center which will require travel and scheduling which causes delays not only in transmission, but joint review. The defense will need additional time for review and possible retention of expert witnesses.”
The motion then states that “from the government’s side of the case,” there are some “additional witnesses that need follow up interviews, and completion of lab testing, primarily DNA analysis,” and that there will “need to be plea discussions once that is all accomplished.”
“None of these things can be accomplished on a first-degree murder case within the speed trial time period.”
“Because of the transient witnesses who have not been located despite diligent efforts, and the complex nature of the issues to be proved, and the need for forensic analysis and retention of necessary experts the failure to grant a continuance would result in a miscarriage of justice, as it would deny the parties the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation,” the motion concludes.
The motion was ultimately accepted at the August 29 status conference, and then put to order by the Honorable District Judge Kelly H. Rankin, with the new December 16 jury trial date set.
A murder in the first degree felony charge holds a maximum sentence of mandatory life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and 5 years of supervised release.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.