Charge could be dismissed

A Green River man who head butted his stepson may have his felony charge dismissed.

Michael Wayne Wright, 48, appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at a change of plea and sentencing hearing to a felony charge of child abuse.

In exchange for Wright’s no contest plea to the felony charge, he was placed on probation pursuant to Wyoming Statute 7-13-301.

Under the provisions of 7-13-301, a first-time offender is placed on probation.

If Wright successfully completes his probation, the felony charge is dismissed. A person can only use 7-13-301 once.

Wright was given three years supervised probation, however, if he demonstrates compliance with the first two years of probation, his last year of probation will be modified to one year unsupervised probation.

According to court documents, on Sept. 4, 2015, a Green River Police officer responded to a report of possible child abuse. The officer visited with a 16-year-old boy, who told him his stepfather, Michael, had head butted him.

The officer noticed the boy’s nose appeared to be swollen and was slightly discolored.

Both the boy and his mother, Shirley Wright, told the officer there was a drop of blood when the head butting occurred.

Both Shirley and the boy told the officer the head butt was not an accident, but an intentional act.

The boy also told the officer that Michael is “always physically and verbally abusive towards him.” The boy said the whole incident started while the boy was hooking up a cell-phone line.

The boy told the officer Michael had called him a couple of names and then used his forehead to head butt him in the nose.

The boy then pushed Michael away and walked outside.

Michael was interviewed by an officer and he told the officer the head butt was an accident. He said he was turning the corner to the hallway when he accidentally ran into the boy.

The officer believed Michael to be intoxicated and his breath had a moderate alcohol order.