John Knox’s Trial For Attempted Second-Degree Murder Is Set For July 11

A Casper man charged with attempted second degree murder and other crimes will go on trial July 11, Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking said Wednesday.

After conferring with prosecuting and defense attorneys, Wilking agreed the best time to schedule John Knox's five-day trial was during the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, which posed a problem.

Blame it on Parade Day, the second Tuesday in July, when the whole town shuts down.

The trial will begin Monday, July 11, and resume Wednesday because Parade Day on Tuesday will make it difficult for jurors to be in court, she said.

The trial will continue through Friday, July 15, and resume if not end on Monday, July 18.

The case began Jan. 16 when Knox was at Racks Gentlemen’s Club in Mills when he fought with another patron, and ended up being ejected from the bar, according to court records.

A bouncer saw him go to a vehicle where he found a pistol, racked the slide to chamber a round, and tried to re-enter the bar.

Prosecutors say Knox was out on bond on an unrelated assault case, when this incident took place.

Knox is in custody on a $50,000 bond. If convicted, he could face between 20 years to life in prison on the attempted second-degree murder charge. He also is charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this month.