CASPER – A 17-year-old Casper girl was taken to Natrona County District Court on Thursday, accused of stabbing another 17-year-old girl on Halloween.

During a preliminary hearing, a video clip capturing the stabbing in the parking lot of the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center concludes with someone yelling, “Oh, shit!”

Gabriella Kathleen Aultman sat next to his court-appointed attorney, Marty Scott, for the hearing on the assault and aggravated assault charge before Judge Nichole Collier. She was wearing the red Juvenile Detention Center jumpsuit and was handcuffed and shackled.

Aultman spoke briefly with Scott before the hearing and was seen smiling at her parents who were sitting in the courtroom.

Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen walked Casper Police Detective Tiffany Elhart through the events of that night recorded in a police affidavit about Aultman’s alleged actions.

She is accused of using a machete-type knife to stab willow betreferred to in court as “WW”, and statements given to police by witnesses at the scene.

He also asked him about a video that the police discovered in the process of investigating a minor named “HM.”

Elhart said the victim notified investigators about a video that had been sent to him and investigators were able to obtain a copy of it and interview “HM.” She said “HM” told investigators he saw the confrontation between Aultman and the victim.

“I was under the impression there was going to be a physical fight,” Elhart testified.

Video evidence

After police reviewed the video, Elhart testified that “the victim’s arms were raised in a surrender position and the victim was asking why it was happening.”

Itzen then told the judge they had a copy of a video to play in court. Scott objected.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for this hearing,” he said.

The judge annulled it.

Itzen, along with Elhart, Scott and Deputy Prosecutor Blaine Nelson, who was holding a computer, approached the stand and played a two-minute portion of the video for Judge Collier.

Audio from the video clip, which could not be seen in the courtroom, included screaming, multiple curses and, at the end, someone yelling, “Oh, shit!”

Earlier, Elhart recounted how police were called to the center’s parking lot around 9:25 p.m. and found Wagner bleeding from both his abdomen and left hand.

He said first responders began giving first aid and took the victim to the hospital. Wagner underwent emergency surgery and faces additional surgery on his hand, he said.

Elhart testified that witness statements were mostly consistent that the red Durango registered to Aultman’s mother and driven by Aultman’s friend described in court as AL was trying to back out of the parking lot while people were gathering. had gathered to socialize.

Among the group behind the Durango were Wagner and a few others.

No damage to the SUV

Witnesses agreed that Wagner kicked the truck, and Elhart testified that the victim told police he did it so those inside would know there were people behind them. Itzen asked Elhart if the SUV was examined for evidence of the kick.

“I couldn’t find any damage from the kick,” Elhart responded.

Elhart testified that the driver of the Durango told police they were trying to leave and that she was the “designated driver” because Aultman wanted to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana.

The driver told police that when they were going to leave with another minor, they yelled at people to get out of the way.

He said he heard a bang as he backed up, stopped the vehicle and put it in gear to drive forward when Aultman jumped out the passenger side door with the machete-like knife.

She told police he was in the center passenger side attorney and that Aultman was carrying him in the vehicle for protection.

Elhart said “AL” told police he saw Aultman approach the victim, but did not see the stabbing. Immediately after that, Aultman returned to the vehicle “and yells, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa,’” the driver told officers.

The driver said she initially didn’t understand what happened and that Aultman was crying and saying “I was sorry I did that,” Elhart testified.

The passenger in the Durango, known as “MW,” told police she saw Wagner “kick the door and Aultman get out and point the tip of the knife at the victim, and they were walking toward each other and the blade plunged into the victim. “

‘Angry and defensive’

Elhart testified that Aultman and the Durango left the scene and were detained by Natrona County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

In an interview with investigators, Aultman told them she was “angry and defensive” after her vehicle was kicked. Aultman said the “victim walked toward the sword” and “moved his right hand slightly forward” causing it to penetrate the victim.

Itzen asked about a witness who said he saw Aultman initially confront Wagner and then return to the vehicle to grab the knife. Elhart testified that was his statement, but almost every other witness had Aultman exit the vehicle initially with the machete-like blade.

Elhart kept his hand about 18 inches away when describing the gun, and under cross-examination by Scott stated that 4 or 5 inches was the handle. She testified that part of the blade was serrated.

Elhart told Itzen that “biological” evidence from the stabbing was collected in Durange and will be analyzed at a crime lab.

Collier ruled that Elhart’s testimony and video evidence were sufficient to bind Aultman in Natrona County District Court on the charge.

Scott asked the judge to reduce his client’s bail from $100,000 cash or surety to $50,000. He argued that his client is in the juvenile center and that it is difficult for him, as a lawyer, to schedule meetings there to speak with her.

He also said his only criminal record was that he was in the juvenile diversion program for being a minor in possession of alcohol.

He said he understood the current climate in the city with several incidents of youth violence this year, but that “the normal bail for a crime of this nature is more like $50,000 cash or bond.”

Scott also said that due to overcrowding at the youth center, the Natrona County School District is not holding classes and Aultman may not be able to graduate from Roosevelt High School this year.

Itzen argued that the bond was appropriate and that the incident occurred during a portion of a school night without adult supervision.

Collier said he is concerned about the defendant’s “reactions in this case,” but agreed to reduce bail to $75,000 cash or surety under conditions that include that Aultman have no contact with the victim or witnesses in the case.

“Do you have questions about bonuses?” Collier asked Aultman.

“No, your honor,” Aultman said.

The charge of aggravated assault and battery carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Dale Killingbeck can be reached [email protected].