Laramie Man Pleads Not Guilty By Reason of Mental Illness

A Laramie resident accused of threatening another man with a box cutter said he is not guilty because of an unspecified mental illness Monday in Albany County District Court.

Seth Aron, 36, pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness to two felony charges: one count of aggravated assault for making threats with a deadly weapon, and one count of possession with a deadly weapon with unlawful intent.

If convicted on both counts, Aron could face up to 15 years in prison and $11,000 in fines.

Court documents say Laramie police responded to a residence in Laramie on Sept. 27, 2015 for a report of a fight. The report indicated that one of the people involved had a knife.

According to a police affidavit, the victim said he was at the residence earlier in the day when Aron walked toward him, yelling. Aron allegedly stopped and said "I've got something for ya [sic]" before pulling a box cutter from his pocket, opening it, and holding it in the air with the blade facing the victim.

Court documents say Aron allegedly continued to approach the victim and took a sudden step toward him, prompting the victim to throw his bike helmet into Aron's face.

The victim reportedly was able to get the box cutter away from Aron, and a witness kicked it out of Aron's reach. According to the affidavit, the victim said he restrained Aron until police arrived.

Aron will now be evaluated in order to gauge his mental state at the time of the alleged incident. Judge Jeffrey Donnell said Monday that as long as Aron complies with the conditions of his bond, including taking his medication, avoiding contact with the victim and continuing to live with his mother, the evaluation could be performed on an outpatient basis.

Donnell said the evaluation would be performed in roughly 30-60 days. A trial date may be set pending the outcome of that evaluation.