All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – A September 16 jury trial has been scheduled for 55-year-old Riverton man Vurnon Doney, who faces a manslaughter charge in connection to the April 26 Riverton house fire that resulted in the death of 48-year-old Eve Newton.
The Fremont County Coroner’s Office released the public docket for Newton today, May 28, which ruled the death as a homicide.
The official cause of death was listed as “thermal burning and inhalation of products of consumption due to residential fire,” with relevant toxicology revealing that there was a 51% saturation of Carbon Monoxide.
Doney was charged after Newton was killed in a house fire that reportedly started when he lit a cigarette inside their shared residence after he alleged to have accidently spilled gas in the living room, following an argument between the two.
A manslaughter felony charge holds a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
Following a May 23 arraignment, Doney’s jury trial was set for September 16.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.