DOUGLAS, Wyo. — A jury in Converse County delivered a second-degree murder conviction to a Douglas man, Mark Helms, aged 44, for the fatal shooting of his cousin last year. This verdict arrived after intense deliberations following a weeklong trial centered around the mental competency of Helms at the time of the crime.
Helms, a military veteran with a substantial history of service and multiple deployments, was accused of killing Nicholas Velazquez, 38, on the night of September 13, 2023. Reports indicate that the cousins had been drinking together in Helms’ residence at the time of the incident.
According to courtroom testimony, Helms claimed a loss of memory regarding the night’s events, only recalling his attempts to administer CPR to Velazquez after the fact. However, Converse County Sheriff’s Lt. Benjamin Peech remained skeptical, citing inconsistencies in Helms’ recollections and noting his admissions of firing the weapon in a confused and frightened state.
The critical discussion in court highlighted Helms’ post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) as a significant factor. His PTSD, attributed to years of military service including stints in Iraq and Afghanistan and even recovery missions at the World Trade Center post-9/11, was suggested to have impaired his mental health. A longtime friend of Helms, Cecil Coplan, reflected on the profound impacts such experiences can have on soldiers.
The prosecution initially charged Helms with first-degree murder in September 2023, but jurors also had the options of second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter, each carrying vastly different potential sentences. First-degree murder could mean a life sentence, while manslaughter typically caps at 20 years.
After about three and a half hours of deliberation, the jury opted for second-degree murder, indicating a belief that Helms acted with intent and malice but without premeditation. Sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.
Helms’ case has garnered attention not only for its tragic outcome but also for its deeper dive into the challenges that combat veterans may face upon returning to civilian life and the potential effects on their mental stability and behavior.
As the community awaits the sentencing phase, discussions continue about the support systems available to veterans and the responsibilities of society to those returning from the battlefield with unseen scars.
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