Jury Deliberates in Cheyenne Attempted Murder Trial
Jurors began weighing attempted murder and manslaughter options against Adrian Maggos after closing arguments in the April 30 shooting case.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Violence
Jurors in Cheyenne began deliberating Thursday in the attempted murder trial of Adrian Maggos, who is accused of shooting Matthew Kerlee outside Maggos' residence on April 30. No verdict was reached after roughly six hours, and deliberations are expected to continue Friday.
Why it matters
The case turns on whether Maggos acted in self-defense or in protection of his family, a claim the defense ties to threats allegedly sent by his former partner. The jury's options range from second-degree attempted murder to attempted voluntary manslaughter, which carry different legal consequences.
Maggos is on trial for attempted murder, with jurors allowed to choose between second-degree attempted murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter. The jury has not reached a verdict, and deliberations resume Friday.
The players
Adrian Maggos
The defendant accused of shooting Matthew Kerlee, who is claiming he acted to protect his family.
Matthew Kerlee
The alleged victim who testified he was shot in the chest and admitted to regular drug use.
Steve McManamen
The prosecutor who delivered closing arguments in the attempted murder case against Maggos.
Cassie Craven
The defense attorney who delivered closing arguments on behalf of Adrian Maggos.
The details
Kerlee testified he was shot in the chest after being struck over the head with a gun, and that he swung at Maggos first. The defense says Maggos was protecting his family from Parres Mondragon, whom it describes as toxic and abusive, while the prosecution alleges Mondragon sent a text from Kerlee's phone telling Maggos to come outside.
Timeline
April 30: Shooting occurs outside Maggos' residence.
Thursday, 11 a.m.: The case is handed to jurors.
Thursday, 5 p.m.: No verdict has been reached after deliberation.
Friday: Deliberations are expected to continue.
Legal Context
The jury is weighing charges under Wyoming's graded attempted-homicide framework, which separates second-degree attempted murder from attempted voluntary manslaughter. The outcome will show how Cheyenne jurors apply that distinction when a defendant claims he was protecting his family.
Residents of Cheyenne can follow the verdict as it bears on how local courts handle self-defense claims in violent confrontations. The case also draws attention to the role of text messages and personal disputes in shaping criminal charges.
The takeaway
The Maggos case shows how a jury must separate competing accounts of a single confrontation, weighing testimony about threats, drug use, and who struck first. Its verdict will clarify how the attempted murder and manslaughter options apply to a defense built on protecting family.
What happens next
Jury deliberations are expected to resume Friday, when a verdict may be reached in the Maggos case.
Further reading
For more on similar cases, see Violence coverage in Cheyenne.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
