All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Fremont County, WY) – The arraignment/initial appearance hearing for Fremont County woman Karen Rider was held on July 31, where she pled “not guilty” to felony tampering with a witness.
A jury trial has been set for August 26 before the Honorable Judge Alan B. Johnson.
Rider was charged in relation to the case involving her daughter Kandace Sitting Eagle and son-in-law Truman Sitting Eagle, who face various charges after law enforcement reportedly discovered a juvenile in their care who had been being kept from school, was locked in his room and deprived of food for long periods of time, and had been physically assaulted on multiple occasions.
Rider reportedly coached the siblings of the victim to not speak to law enforcement during investigation interviews, despite the childrens’ previous comments of witnessing abuse during the early stages of the investigation.
Rider ultimately pled “not guilty,” and the August 26 jury trial was set.
Kandace was found guilty of aggravated child abuse by a federal jury back in June, and her sentencing hearing was set for August 29. Truman’s sentencing hearing is set to take place on August 6.
County 10 will provide updates on Rider’s case, which can be viewed here, as well as the Sitting Eagle’s sentencing hearings, which can be viewed here.