Zacharia Johnson’s Attempted Murder Appeal Denied By WY Supreme Court

A Casper man convicted of trying to kill another man who he thought was a child molester back in 2013, will not have his case reviewed by Wyoming's highest court.

The Wyoming Supreme Court has rejected an appeal for Zacharia Johnson, who was convicted by a jury of four charges, including attempted first degree murder.

In his appeal, Johnson claimed errors were made in jury instructions during the trial, in particular, the definition of malice, and that there was insufficient evidence and/or testimony on the charges.

The Supreme Court said the malice definition was irrelevant, because Johnson had not shown he was prejudiced by that instruction.

As for the evidence/testimony claim, the Supreme Court says there was a sufficient amount on the attempted murder charge, partially because a former cell-mate testified against Johnson, on how he bragged in jail about what he did, and there was another witness to the attack.

The victim, Chris Masterson, was also able to identify Johnson as his attacker.

Prosecutors argued at trial that Johnson believed Masterson was a child molester, and that killing him might get him into good standing with Hell’s Angels.

However, there is nothing on Masterson’s record that proves those accusations.

Johnson is currently serving life in prison with the possibility of parole.

A co-defendant, Robert Simmons, has already been sentenced for his role in the case.