Richard Allen Turner v. The State of Wyoming

2025 WY 117

• Court: Wyoming Supreme Court
• Decided: October 29, 2025
• Docket: S-25-0192
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WYOMING

2025 WY 117

October Term, A.D. 2025

October 29, 2025

RICHARD ALLEN TURNER,

Appellant (Defendant),

v. S-25-0192

THE STATE OF WYOMING,

Appellee (Plaintiff)

ORDER AFFIRMING THE DISTRICT COURT’S JUDGMENT AND SENTENCE [¶1] This matter came before the Court upon its own motion following notification that Appellant has filed a pro se brief in the time allotted. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Appellant entered an unconditional no contest plea to three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, second offense, and two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-314(a)(iii); Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-315(a)(iv). For the first three counts, the district court imposed three sentences of life without parole and, for the remaining counts, the district court imposed a sentence of 9 to 10 years of incarceration. The court ordered each count to run concurrently. Appellant filed this appeal to challenge the district court’s June 14, 2025, Judgment and Sentence.

[¶2] On October 1, 2025, Appellant’s court-appointed appellate counsel filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel, pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967). This Court subsequently entered an Order Granting Motion for Extension of Time to File Pro Se Brief. This Court ordered that Appellant was permitted to file with this Court a pro se brief specifying the issues he would like the Court to consider in this appeal. This Court also provided notice that, after the time for filing a pro se brief expired, this Court would make its ruling on counsel’s motion to withdraw and, if appropriate, make a final decision on this appeal. Appellant filed a pro se brief in the time allotted. [¶3] Now, following a careful review of the Anders brief submitted by appellate counsel, Appellant’s pro se brief, and the record, this Court finds that appellate counsel’s motion to withdraw should be granted and the district court’s Judgment and Sentence, should be affirmed. It is, therefore,

[¶4] ORDERED that the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office, court-appointed counsel for Appellant Richard Allen Turner, is hereby permitted to withdraw as counsel of record for Appellant; and it is further

[¶5] ORDERED that the Sweetwater County District Court’s June 14, 2025, Judgment and Sentence be, and the same hereby is, affirmed.

[¶6] DATED this 29th day of October, 2025.

BY THE COURT:

/s/

LYNNE BOOMGAARDEN Chief Justice