Judge To Consider Closed Records In Death Case

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge is set to hear claims by a defense lawyer in a Cheyenne death penalty case that a special prosecutor wasn't appointed properly.

Laramie County District Judge Peter Arnold has set a hearing for Wednesday morning in Cheyenne to consider issues in the state's prosecution of Nathaniel Castellanos.

Castellanos has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in connection with a shooting at his house last summer.

Defense lawyer Robert Rose recently asked Arnold to seal court papers. Rose claims that special prosecutor Michael Blonigen of Casper wasn't properly appointed to handle the case.

Blonigen was appointed because Castellanos' ex-wife had worked in the Cheyenne district attorney's office.

The Associated Press has asked to intervene to argue against sealing the papers.