Judge Allows Extra Evidence In Cynthia Guy Trial

Prosecutors will be allowed to introduce evidence that Cynthia Guy asked more than one of her clients to kill her about-to-be ex-husband.

"I do find the proffered evidence ... will be admitted at trial," Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking said at the end of an hour-long hearing Thursday.

Guy is charged with one count of solicitation of first-degree murder. If convicted, she could face life in prison, or life without the possibility of parole. She is being held on a $250,000 bond. The trial is scheduled for January.

Guy was a counselor at the Central Wyoming Counseling Center. The solicitation charge is specifically tied to her asking a client, Amanda Nace, in May 2014 if she knew anyone -- namely people in Mexican gangs -- who could kill her husband Terry Thomas in Cheyenne. Guy said she soon would be forced to sell her house in Casper and she would be homeless.

Nace notified CWCC's administration, which notified Casper police. Law enforcement recorded the next meeting of Guy and Nace, during which details were discussed, including setting up a meeting with an undercover officer named "Frankie." Guy and Frankie met in Glendo, and agreed to pay him to kill Thomas. Guy soon was arrested in Casper.

But several weeks before that, Guy had asked another client, Alta Hughes, to "take care" of Thomas. Guy promised the Hughes an early release from CWCC as well to help her regain custody of her children. Hughes said she would think about it, but did not follow up on the murder-for-hire proposal.

Hughes, now living out of state, was later interviewed by law enforcement. She said she had several meetings with Guy, who showed photos of Thomas and suggested ways to kill him including an overdose, a drug deal gone bad, and an explosion

Assistant District Attorney Mike Schafer asked the court in August to be allowed to present Hughes' testimony because it was intrinsically related to Nace's testimony.

Thursday, Schafer told Wilking that the evidence Hughes would offer is relevant because it shows Guy's purpose, premeditation, intent, identity, course of conduct and motive.

Guy's defense attorney Tom Jubin told Wilking he agreed Schaffer had a legitimate argument, to a point.

However, Jubin said that Hughes' experience did not necessarily show a propensity of Guy's interest in having her husband killed. That kind of reasoning is not allowed under the law that Schafer used to want the evidence allowed, he said.

During the hearing, Guy hung her head at the defense table. When Jubin started talking, she put her head on the table and a sheriff's deputy asked if she was okay.

Jubin continued, asking rhetorically if the evidence offered by Nace was so strong, why would the prosecution need Hughes' testimony.

In giving her order to allow Hughes' testimony, Wilking said Schafer made his case.

"I do find this is properly introduced," Wilking said. "I do find that it is relevant."