Sublette county brand inspection case continues
Sublette County – In the second part of Rex F. Rammell’s pretrial conference for not having brand inspections for horses he trailered between counties on June 27, 2019, the judge strongly advised him again to consider hiring an attorney.
Pretrial conference
Presiding Third Circuit Judge Gregory Corpening reviewed Rammell’s rights and possible outcomes before the one-day trial on April 28 in Sublette County Circuit Court.
Rammell declined needing an attorney and questioned the judge several times about what he can and cannot ask or say during the six-person jury trial.
The hour-long March 22 pretrial videoconference was the continuation of the original hour-long hearing on Feb. 17 with the judge, Rammell and Deputy County Attorney Stan Cannon.
Judge Corpening reminded Rammell he and Cannon cannot advise him about proper courtroom procedures. If Rammell’s questions during jury selection or during trial stray off course, a mistrial could result – possibly with Rammell ordered to pay court costs, the judge said.
Rammell has defended himself since his first court appearance in 2019.
Case history
Sublette County Sherriff’s Deputy Ty Huffman stopped Rammell as he drove his truck and trailer with four horses and a nursing colt to a Sublette County pasture from Sweetwater County. The deputy asked Rammell for a brand inspection, which Rammell did not have, and the Sublette County Attorney’s Office filed five misdemeanor counts against him.
Rammell has argued the state brand inspection law, W.S. 11-21-103(a) is unconstitutional and violates his rights – last month he filed a civil petition in Ninth District Court for declaratory judgment against the law. As of March 24, nothing has come from this petition.
Rammell moved for the jury trial to be continued until this decision, but Judge Corpening denied it this week. The defendant said he mailed his pretrial amendments to Cannon, which was returned, and to Circuit Court, which did not have it.
This hearing was more focused on what can and cannot be argued at trial – the law’s constitutionality will not be allowed – only the facts of this specific case.
Individual inspections
Rammell said during the videoconference he sent information about another brand inspection violation case – the case of Melissa Meisner who was cited for 39 brand inspection violations after transporting calves from Farson to the Pinedale area.
Usually one brand inspection covers an entire load of livestock, Rammell explained, asking why he was charged with five violations. Cannon said he would amend the complaint for four horses instead of five, because the colt was nursing.
“She settled,” Rammell said of Meisner. “She was charged with 39 counts and the Sublette County Attorney’s Office took 39 counts down to one.”
Cannon said another person’s judgment and sentence “has nothing to do with his situation,” noting he might call a Sublette County brand inspector to explain the form and how it is filled out.
Rammell said he wants to ask a brand inspector if he or she would fill out one form or four separate ones.
“(Rammell) wants to introduce evidence as to how the brand inspection law is enforced,” Cannon objected. “The question before the jury is not whether or not he had a brand inspection on this day and in this case.”
Calling witness
Judge Corpening replied, “Just to give an example for a brand inspector as witness, cross-examination is limited to what’s testified to, nothing beyond.”
“I ought to be able to ask if it’s common or uncommon to have five animals on one permit,” Rammell countered.
Cannon told Judge Corpening the only purpose is to demonstrate the actual form, stating, “He’s raising the issue again. This is a matter of fact, not a matter of law. He’s going to try and do anything possible to go for the ‘law’ argument.”
Judge Corpening asked Cannon about charging four counts instead of one.
“We believe it could be properly charged as four separate counts,” Cannon said. “We agree all four horses would have been on one brand inspection, but not one of them was on any brand inspection.”
Each violation carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and $750 fine. The judge accepted Cannon’s reasoning for filing four charges.
“I don’t think the intent of the law was to throw people in jail for two years for not having a piece of paper,” Rammell said. “It was never meant to harm people, just get their attention.”
After more discussion about jury instructions, Judge Corpening led the hearing to an end.
“I think we’ve concluded about all we can conclude today,” he said.
Joy Ufford is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
