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State of Wyoming v. Matthew Justin Olson
Date: 11-22-2024
Case Number: S-23-0176
Judge: Jams C. Kaste
Court: District Court, Uinta County, Wyoming
Plaintiff's Attorney: Uinta County, Wyoming District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Evanston Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
In April 2021, Matthew Olson was incarcerated in the Platte County Detention Center in Wheatland, Wyoming, pending trial on a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. During this same time, Mr. Olson also had pending state charges for multiple counts of domestic violence against his ex-wife, SK, in Uinta County. SK was an important witness in these pending cases.
While in the Platte County Detention Center, Mr. Olson shared a cell with Danny Hendershott, who was also known as "Sinner." Mr. Olson asked Mr. Hendershott to "[e]liminate a problem" he had with SK by "kill[ing] the chick." Mr. Hendershott had gang affiliations and the connections to carry out the murder.
In exchange for "helping" Mr. Olson with SK, Mr. Olson agreed to give Mr. Hendershott a government stimulus check Mr. Olson had received that was currently in possession of his girlfriend, Shannon Ambriola. The stimulus check was made payable to Mr. Olson and SK. Mr. Hendershott arranged for Ms. Ambriola to send the check to his sister in Oregon, who would then cash the check and send the proceeds to Mr. Hendershott. Mr. Hendershott's sister received the check from Ms. Ambriola, but she never cashed it.
Although Mr. Hendershott originally intended to go through with the murder-for-hire plot, he changed his mind after he was transferred to another facility in Nebraska. Mr. Hendershott reported the plot to law enforcement, and the information was passed onto the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who in turn contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). ATF agents warned SK her life might be in danger and retrieved the stimulus check from Mr. Hendershott's sister.
A few days later, an undercover ATF agent, who was pretending to be a hitman, contacted Ms. Ambriola saying he was a "friend of a friend." He attempted to get Ms. Ambriola to give him additional information about SK that would help him carry out the murder. During this call, the agent asked Ms. Ambriola to find out if Mr. Olson still wanted SK killed. After speaking with Mr. Olson, Ms. Ambriola called the agent later that day and told him Mr. Olson had decided to "hold off" or "postpone" because there was too much heat on him at the moment. She also told the agent he could keep $500 of the proceeds from the stimulus check for his "troubles" and asked him to return the rest.
The State charged Mr. Olson with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Before trial, the State filed a notice of intent to offer evidence under W.R.E. 404(b). The State wanted to introduce evidence showing Mr. Olson had been charged with numerous other crimes including: multiple acts of domestic violence against SK; being a felon in possession of a firearm; and aggravated assault and witness intimidation against SK. The State argued this evidence was admissible to show Mr. Olson's motive for wanting to kill SK, and it would be "virtually impossible" to address the conspiracy charge without explaining why he was incarcerated with Mr. Hendershott. Mr. Olson objected to the introduction of any of this evidence.
After holding a hearing and conducting the analysis required by Gleason v. State, 2002 WY 161, ΒΆ 27, 57 P.3d 332, 342-43 (Wyo. 2002), the district court found some of the evidence the State wanted to use was admissible under W.R.E. 404(b). However, to limit the potential prejudicial effect of this evidence, the district court limited the State to "identifying that at times relevant to this charge, Defendant Olson had four serious charges pending against him[,] and [SK] was an important witness to those charged offenses."
After a three-day trial, the jury found Mr. Olson guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The district court sentenced Mr. Olson to life as a matter of law. Mr. Olson timely appealed his conviction. While that appeal was pending, Mr. Olson filed a motion for a new trial under Rule 21 of the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure (W.R.A.P.), claiming his trial counsel was ineffective. W.R.A.P. 21 (LexisNexis 2023). The district court denied that motion, and Mr. Olson timely appealed that order (appeal S-24-0103). We consolidated the appeals. Mr. Olson does not raise any arguments related to the denial of his W.R.A.P. 21 motion. He only challenges the district court's ruling on the admissibility of the W.R.E. 404(b) evidence.
Evanston, Wyoming criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
In April 2021, Matthew Olson was incarcerated in the Platte County Detention Center in Wheatland, Wyoming, pending trial on a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. During this same time, Mr. Olson also had pending state charges for multiple counts of domestic violence against his ex-wife, SK, in Uinta County. SK was an important witness in these pending cases.
While in the Platte County Detention Center, Mr. Olson shared a cell with Danny Hendershott, who was also known as "Sinner." Mr. Olson asked Mr. Hendershott to "[e]liminate a problem" he had with SK by "kill[ing] the chick." Mr. Hendershott had gang affiliations and the connections to carry out the murder.
In exchange for "helping" Mr. Olson with SK, Mr. Olson agreed to give Mr. Hendershott a government stimulus check Mr. Olson had received that was currently in possession of his girlfriend, Shannon Ambriola. The stimulus check was made payable to Mr. Olson and SK. Mr. Hendershott arranged for Ms. Ambriola to send the check to his sister in Oregon, who would then cash the check and send the proceeds to Mr. Hendershott. Mr. Hendershott's sister received the check from Ms. Ambriola, but she never cashed it.
Although Mr. Hendershott originally intended to go through with the murder-for-hire plot, he changed his mind after he was transferred to another facility in Nebraska. Mr. Hendershott reported the plot to law enforcement, and the information was passed onto the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who in turn contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). ATF agents warned SK her life might be in danger and retrieved the stimulus check from Mr. Hendershott's sister.
A few days later, an undercover ATF agent, who was pretending to be a hitman, contacted Ms. Ambriola saying he was a "friend of a friend." He attempted to get Ms. Ambriola to give him additional information about SK that would help him carry out the murder. During this call, the agent asked Ms. Ambriola to find out if Mr. Olson still wanted SK killed. After speaking with Mr. Olson, Ms. Ambriola called the agent later that day and told him Mr. Olson had decided to "hold off" or "postpone" because there was too much heat on him at the moment. She also told the agent he could keep $500 of the proceeds from the stimulus check for his "troubles" and asked him to return the rest.
The State charged Mr. Olson with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Before trial, the State filed a notice of intent to offer evidence under W.R.E. 404(b). The State wanted to introduce evidence showing Mr. Olson had been charged with numerous other crimes including: multiple acts of domestic violence against SK; being a felon in possession of a firearm; and aggravated assault and witness intimidation against SK. The State argued this evidence was admissible to show Mr. Olson's motive for wanting to kill SK, and it would be "virtually impossible" to address the conspiracy charge without explaining why he was incarcerated with Mr. Hendershott. Mr. Olson objected to the introduction of any of this evidence.
After holding a hearing and conducting the analysis required by Gleason v. State, 2002 WY 161, ΒΆ 27, 57 P.3d 332, 342-43 (Wyo. 2002), the district court found some of the evidence the State wanted to use was admissible under W.R.E. 404(b). However, to limit the potential prejudicial effect of this evidence, the district court limited the State to "identifying that at times relevant to this charge, Defendant Olson had four serious charges pending against him[,] and [SK] was an important witness to those charged offenses."
After a three-day trial, the jury found Mr. Olson guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The district court sentenced Mr. Olson to life as a matter of law. Mr. Olson timely appealed his conviction. While that appeal was pending, Mr. Olson filed a motion for a new trial under Rule 21 of the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure (W.R.A.P.), claiming his trial counsel was ineffective. W.R.A.P. 21 (LexisNexis 2023). The district court denied that motion, and Mr. Olson timely appealed that order (appeal S-24-0103). We consolidated the appeals. Mr. Olson does not raise any arguments related to the denial of his W.R.A.P. 21 motion. He only challenges the district court's ruling on the admissibility of the W.R.E. 404(b) evidence.
Outcome:
Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.
Affirmed
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Wyoming v. Matthew Justin Olson?
The outcome was: Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Affirmed
Which court heard State of Wyoming v. Matthew Justin Olson?
This case was heard in District Court, Uinta County, Wyoming, WY. The presiding judge was Jams C. Kaste.
Who were the attorneys in State of Wyoming v. Matthew Justin Olson?
Plaintiff's attorney: Uinta County, Wyoming District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Evanston Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was State of Wyoming v. Matthew Justin Olson decided?
This case was decided on November 22, 2024.