Charlie Mapp’s Murder Trial Starts In Casper

A Natrona County man accused of killing another man in an argument is finally getting his day in court.

The second degree murder trial for Charlie Mapp is scheduled to start Monday, September 14th and run all week.

Mapp is accused of killing Richard Abeyta in an argument back in August 2014, on the 400 block of North Washington Street.

On the night in question, witnesses told investigators that there was a small gathering of people at a residence, and alcohol was involved.

Mapp had gone to get more drinks, and when he returned, Abeyta then started an argument, accusing Mapp of making advances on his girlfriend.

A short time later, Mapp went to his vehicle, retrieved a .38 revolver and shot Abeyta, who was transported to Wyoming Medical Center, where he later died of injuries that he sustained.

When interviewed, Mapp told officers that during the argument, Abeyta’s language became abusive and threatening.

He also claimed that he was about six-to-eight feet away from Abeyta at the time of the shooting, and he had pointed the gun at the ground, and not at Abeyta’s head, but police could not find any evidence, that the bullet hit the ground, or ricocheted off of anything.

Mapp had originally pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and agreed to serve six to eight years in prison, but Natrona County District Court Judge Thomas Sullins rejected the plea deal, because Mapp was intoxicated at the time, and a firearm was used.

The prosecution argued for the plea deal, because many witness were intoxicated on the night of the incident and their recollection of events was not good.

The defense has expressed concerns about getting a unbiased jury, because of the media coverage, especially after the plea deal was turned down.

If found guilty of second degree murder, Mapp could face between 20 years to life in prison.