All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – A change-of-plea hearing was held today, March 26, for Riverton man John Goodman, who pleaded “guilty” to the charge of second-degree murder, as per stipulations made in a plea agreement filed on March 18 and an amended information to the original charge filed on March 19.
Goodman’s sentencing has been set for June 4.
The hearing was overseen by the Honorable Judge Jason Conder, with Micah Wyatt representing the State, and Valerie Schoneberger and Zachary Mahlum acting as Defense.
Goodman was originally charged with first-degree murder, stemming from an incident occurring in March of 2023 on Rendezvous Road, where human remains were discovered wrapped in a blanket, bound, and partially covered in the snow, with apparent wounds to the head and neck. The deceased was later identified as Gustave Yellowhair.
Court documents state that the ensuing investigation, including interview testimony and DNA collected at the scene, ultimately tied Goodman to the crime. The Fremont County Coroner’s Office later determined the death to be a “homicide,” with the specific cause concluded to be “Transection of the carotid artery and jugular vein and partial transection of the larynx due to sharp force injury of the neck.” (Click here for the full write-up on the investigation that led to the charge.)
Goodman went on to plead “not guilty” at his December 4 arraignment hearing, and a jury trial was set for May 11. A plea agreement was later filed on his behalf on March 18, resulting in today’s change-of-plea hearing and the vacating of the jury trial.
Prosecutors originally charged Goodman with first-degree murder. In an amended information filed March 19, they reduced that charge to second-degree murder and added one count of kidnapping (confinement). Under the plea agreement, if Goodman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the kidnapping count would be dismissed.
At today’s hearing, Judge Conder noted that the plea agreement did not contain sentencing stipulations regarding the duration of imprisonment. (In Wyoming, a second-degree murder is defined as a “purposeful and malicious killing that lacks premeditation,” and carries a minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and a maximum of life.)
Goodman was then given the chance to speak, where he recounted the events leading to the fatal altercation.
Goodman stated that he was staying at a hotel when he made contact with Yellowhair, who Goodman claimed “asked for a cigarette” before he let him into his room to “warm up.” Goodman went on to tell the court that he became “angry” and “snapped” when Yellowhair brought up a deceased family member, so he “started stabbing him.”
Schoneberger asked Goodman what specific injuries he inflicted upon Yellowhair. Goodman said he “stabbed him in the head and slit his throat,” and that he “blacked out” during the attack.
Goodman then pleaded “guilty” to the second-degree murder charge, which the Court conditionally accepted. The plea will operate as a “cold plea,” wherein the State and Defendant are free to later argue for an appropriate sentence.
Judge Conder noted that the Court will not officially accept the plea until the pre-sentence investigation report is reviewed, which will be filed in May. The sentencing hearing was then set for June 4.
County 10 will provide updates on the case, which can be viewed here.