Mentality questioned

A man accused of pulling a gun on three others claims he is not mentally fit to proceed.

Raymond Price pleaded not guilty by reason of mental deficiency in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at an arraignment to three counts of aggravated assault and battery.

According to an order suspending proceedings and for examination by a designated examiner under the provisions of Wyoming Statute 7-11-303, which was filed in the court on Dec. 4, 2014, Price will be examined by the Wyoming State Hospital within 30 days of Dec. 4, 2014, to determine if he is fit to proceed.

The examiner will give an opinion on whether Price has a mental illness or deficiency and its probable duration, an opinion on whether Price can understand the nature and object of the proceedings against him and conduct himself in a reasonable manner; and a recommendation on whether Price should be held in a designated facility for treatment pending determination by the court of the issue of mental fitness to proceed and whether Price, if found mentally fit to proceed, should be detained in a designated facility pending further proceedings.

If Price is found guilty of all three charges, he could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $30,000.

Since Price has been convicted of three previous felonies, including forgery financial instrument, credit card or debit card abuse and possession of a controlled substance, the state in pursing an enhancement of sentence under the Habitual Criminal Statute 6-10-201 (a.)

Under this statute, if Price is convicted of a violent felony and has been convicted of two or more previous charges he could be punished by imprisonment for life.

According to court documents, on Aug. 15, 2014, Green River Police officers responded to a call at Green Gander Bar regarding a male subject pulling a gun on three people outside of the bar.

The person reporting the crime told dispatch that everyone was hiding in the bar because the guy with the gun was still outside. Upon arrival, officers interviewed three people who said they were threatened by a black man with a gun; and that man drove away in a dark colored SUV with out-of-state plates.

Bert Barney stated that the subject was a black male with a small build, about 5’ 6,” wearing jeans. Barney said the man pointed a silver pistol, maybe a 45-caliber handgun at him while the man was about 20 feet away from him. He said the man pulled the slide back and cocked the gun. Then the man drone off in a dark colored SUV. Barney was able to provide the officers with a partial plate number.

Theodore Laughlin and Richard Harper told one of the GRPD officers that a black man exited a vehicle while they were outside of the bar. They both told police that this man proceeded to cock the gun and tell them “You think you’re bad” as he walked toward them with the gun. Laughlin said the gun was silver.

Officers searched the area for a dark colored SUV and found one that fit the description parked in front a gas station on 59 Uinta Drive. One officer observed a black man in the store getting food item. The man was arrested and identified as Raymond Price. Price told the officers he has just left The Mast.

Officers found a silver colored handgun on the front passenger seat of the vehicle that was parked at the gas station.

Barney arrived at the store and allegedly identified Price as the man who pulled a gun on him and he also identified the vehicle as the one Price was driving.