TORRINGTON – Goshen County’s Eighth Judicial District Court convened for a pretrial conference on Monday, Feb. 1, in the matter of the State of Wyoming versus Terry Anderson. As it stands, Anderson’s jury trial will commence March 1, 2021, in the Goshen County District Courtroom.

District Court Judge F. Scott Peasley, Anderson, Anderson's attorney Joe Bustos and Prosecuting Attorney Eric Boyer appeared in-person in the Eighth Judicial District Courtroom to discuss concerns over COVID-19 sanctions in place by the department of health, and the Court’s ability to carry out the jury trial in a safe manner, while still respecting the rights of the accused.

Peasley told the parties the Court had established a plan that would ensure social distancing, mask wearing and have safeguards in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the Court would be sending a letter detailing the health and safety protocols for the trial to the subpoenaed prospective jurors.

Those present for the trial would have their temperatures taken, answer COVID-19 related questions, wear masks and be required to maintain social distancing.

Peasley added he and District Judge Patrick Korell would be issuing an order concerning the safeguards and protocols for the impending trial.

Bustos and Boyer agreed with Peasley’s recommendation of summoning 55 potential jurors with two alternates to be seated with the twelve-person jury. Peasley asked the prosecution and defense whether they had any concerns over the ideas presented.

Boyer told Peasley the State had no objection to the Court’s ideas as they were presented. Bustos said he had concerns about testimony, citing the importance of the jury being able to observe both verbal and non-verbal cues of the witnesses.

Peasley told the Court the public would not be allowed into the courtroom during the voir dire process, or the process through which the prosecution and defense select and reject potential jurors to ensure a fair and impartial jury is seated for the trial.

The Court will be utilizing the entire district courtroom and Judge Nathaniel Hibben’s Circuit Courtroom as well. During this time, the public will be able to listen to the voir dire process by using the Wyoming Judicial Branch’s website. The link is https://www.courts.state.wy.us/live-broadcast/ and the broadcast can be found under “Goshen County – District Court.”

Anderson was charged with aggravated assault and battery after an alleged confrontation between Anderson and Deedra Strauch in South Torrington in late January. After the alleged confrontation, Strauch suffered a gunshot wound to the head and ultimately died from the wound.

In early February, the charges were upgraded to second-degree murder. If Anderson is found guilty of second-degree murder, he could face a minimum of 20 years of incarceration. The charges of aggravated assault and battery carry a maximum of 10 years of incarceration.