Jury Rules in Case of Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A jury has ruled that while gender did play a part in a Wyoming Highway Patrol female trooper's demotion in 2016, the Highway Patrol would have made the same decision regardless of gender.

The jury in Cheyenne awarded Delsa Sanderson costs and attorney's fees but no additional damages.

Sanderson, who became the patrol's first female K9 handler in May 2015, was demoted and reassigned from her position in April 2016.

Sanderson contended she was reassigned because she was a woman. The Highway Patrol contended the reassignment was the result of Sanderson's pattern of communication issues and inability to work cohesively with the rest of the division she was assigned to.

Bruce Moats, Sanderson's attorney, says an appeal will be considered.