CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A 39-year old man faces multiple charges after it is alleged that he attacked and then smothered another individual with a pillow inside of a private residence.
According to court documents, Joel Thornton made his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 to hear the felony charge of Reckless Endangerment, and the misdemeanor counts of Domestic Battery, Interference with an Emergency Call, and Interference with a Peace Officer read to him by Judge Denise Nau.
The Cheyenne Police Department says that their officers were dispatched to a residence within the city limits of Cheyenne during the early evening hours on May 16th, 2020 in reference to a report of a domestic assault. Once on scene, the officers report that they made contact with the accuser who was outside of the residence.
Court papers say that the accuser told police that Thornton had attacked them after they asked for some of their property back that they had lent him. The alleged victim reported to the officer that the suspect had thrown them to the ground and then sat on their chest.
The accuser went on to say that while they were pinned on the ground, Thornton covered their mouth with his hand and allegedly told them “If you don’t shut up for five minutes, I’m going to kill you.”
The accuser told authorities that Thornton had put his entire body weight on them which hindered their ability to breathe. The alleged victim also reportedly described to the officers that they felt as if they suffered a fractured collarbone during the attack.
According to supporting court documents, the accuser told police that when they attempted to call 911, Thornton held on to their phone and refused to give it back.
The alleged victim went on to tell police that at one point Thornton used a pillow at one point to cover their face causing them to suffocate. The officers report that the accuser told them that they were scared that the suspect was going to kill them because they could not breathe.
Court papers say that the accuser was able to leave the residence and call law enforcement from their neighbors house. The neighbor reports that they heard the alleged victim scream for them to call the police.
The officer says that they observed injuries on the accuser and physical evidence in the house on that appeared to back up the account of the alleged attack.
Law enforcement says that Thornton hid in a closet and refused to comply with their commands when they tried to make contact with them. Officers say that they had to take Thornton into custody by force.
An affidavit filed in the case says that while Thronton was being escorted to a patrol vehicle that he turned to one of the officers and intentionally coughed in their face.
It is alleged that immediatly after coughing on the officer he stated that he had “The Rona”, referring to COVID-19.
During his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court, Thornton was given a $3000 cash bond.
All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office.
