McLaren sentenced in attempted murder case

Steven Dean McLaren was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence on five felony counts, including Attempted Second Degree Murder, by Third Judicial District Court Judge Richard Lavery on August 31, 2016. Judge Lavery sentenced 53-year-old McLaren to a total of 63 to 81 years to be served in the Wyoming State Penitentiary. McLaren was found guilty on all charged counts by a jury on April 15, 2016, after a four day trial regarding incidents which occurred on March 10, 2014.

At trial, prosecution presented evidence that on March 10, 2014, McLaren kidnapped and attempted to kill his girlfriend, Jennifer Evans. The State alleged McLaren attempted to drive into a car driven by Walter Majco, and then a truck driven by Regina Lanning, on Yellowstone Road, all the while assaulting Evans, who was his passenger. McLaren then turned northbound on Highway 191 where he attempted to collide with the Pepsi semi. The driver of the semi, Michael Murphy, was able to maneuver around McLaren’s vehicle without incident. McLaren then turned on the Wild Horse Loop where the assault on Evans continued. While on the Wild Horse Loop, McLaren struck Evans, repeatedly, with a 12-inch mag flashlight, and attempted to strangle her. Eventually Evans was able to escape to the highway where she was found by two travelers, who then notified authorities.

Jurors heard four days of testimony and argument before finding McLaren guilty of all five charged counts. Judge Lavery sentenced McLaren to the following: Count I, Attempted Second Degree Murder, 24-28 years; Count II, Strangulation, 4-5 years, consecutive to Count I; Count III, Aggravated Assault, 8-10 years, consecutive to Count II; Count IV, Aggravated Assault, 8-10 years, consecutive to Count III; and Count V, Aggravated Kidnapping, 24-28 years, consecutive to Count IV.

Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe cited the cooperation of eye witnesses responding to inquiries in the press, as well as the quick and thorough investigation by the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office as the reasons behind the successful prosecution of McLaren.

“Due to the tenacity of this young woman, the active participation of eye witnesses, and the thorough investigation by the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, a dangerous individual has been removed from the public,” Erramouspe said.