CASPER, Wyo. — In a verdict that concluded a heated trial involving a physical altercation with a law enforcement officer, a Casper man was acquitted of felony interference but was found guilty of a lesser misdemeanor offense. The incident, which occurred last summer, resulted in injury to Casper Police Department’s Officer Aaron Trujillo, who suffered a broken fibula.
Anthony Steven Roy, 41, faced charges stemming from an encounter that escalated into a physical confrontation with Trujillo. While Roy was cleared of the felony charge after a jury deliberation that lasted approximately two and a half hours, he was convicted on the charge of misdemeanor interference, which could see him face up to one year in prison.
The altercation took place shortly before midnight on July 7, 2024, when police were alerted to a suspicious vehicle parked for hours at a counseling center on Wilkins Circle. The caller raised concerns about potential illegal activities, noting the absence of any scheduled intakes that night and speculating that the occupants might be using controlled substances.
Officer Trujillo, the first responder, approached the vehicle to find Roy and a female companion. The situation quickly escalated as Roy, upon being asked for his identification, refused to comply and attempted to enter the locked counseling center. Asserting his intention to check himself into rehab, Roy resisted Trujillo’s attempts to detain him, leading to the physical struggle captured on police body cam and dash cam.
In his defense, Roy’s attorney, Tim Cotton, argued that the officer had instigated the confrontation and that Roy had neither the intention nor the attempt to cause any harm to Trujillo. Cotton suggested that the officer’s injury could have been the result of a poorly executed hip toss maneuver by Trujillo himself.
The juries were shown multiple video clips from both the body cam, which provided a close-up, shaky view, and the dash cam, which recorded from a distance. These videos were central to the conflicting narratives presented during the closing arguments by both the prosecution and the defense.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson emphasized that Roy’s non-compliance and aggressive behavior were the direct causes of the encounter and Trujillo’s subsequent injury. In contrast, Cotton pointed out the absence of clear aggressive actions, like punching, in the footage, suggesting instead that Roy was merely trying to create distance from the officer.
During the trial, Officer Trujillo testified about his perception of risk given the late hour, the suspicious vehicle, and Roy’s agitated state. Supporting Trujillo’s testimony, another officer, Zachary Gonzales, who arrived later at the scene, shared insights into the mindset of police officers when approaching potentially volatile situations.
Roy has been detained since the incident, held on other charges unrelated to this case. His sentencing for the misdemeanor interference charge is expected shortly.
Despite the resolution of the trial, this case raises important discussions about the complexities of law enforcement interactions, the challenges of accurately interpreting partially captured video evidence, and the procedures used in detaining suspects.
The outcome of this legal battle highlights the nuances and challenges faced by both law enforcement officers and civilians in high-stress encounters that escalate to physical confrontations.
Note: This article was automatically written and may contain inaccuracies. For corrections or removal requests, please contact [email protected].