Haire appeal before State Supreme Court
Worland man found guilty of manslaughter in 2015
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WORLAND – Anthony Haire, a Worland man found guilty of manslaughter in December 2015 in the death of Jamye Don SoRelle, has filed an appeal with the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Haire fatally shot SoRelle, 58, on the night of April 13, 2015, near their trailers on shared property located at 1459 U.S. 20 South. Haire originally told authorities that he shot SoRelle in self-defense, after Sorelle had fired in his direction. Haire pled not guilty when charged.
During a lengthy trial in December 2015, it was determined that SoRelle had been shot twice in the back while on the ground. Haire was ultimately found guilty by a jury, and sentenced to no less than eight years in the state penitentiary.
Haire’s appeal process began in August 2016; state Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments on Jan. 19. According to Washakie County Attorney John P. Worrall, who originally prosecuted the case and witnessed the oral arguments before the Supreme Court, attorneys for Haire argued that on the basis that the crime with which Haire was found guilty falls under the “castle doctrine.”
Under the Wyoming law (commonly referred to as the “stand your ground” law) deadly force is justified when a person has a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury due to the actions of an intruder. The law provides criminal and civil immunity to persons who use deadly force under those circumstances, yet only applies when persons are within their own home. The law does not excuse crime victims from a duty to retreat outside the home.
“Basically,” explained Worrall, “it appeared that the argument before the [Supreme] Court, is that the [castle doctrine] law should be expanded to include the property around the home. In that case, the law itself would have to be amended.”
A final decision by the court will be issued in a written opinion, to be reported at a later date.
