Williams Pleads Not Guilty In Halloween Death

The Casper man accused of striking and killing a UW student during a Halloween fight in Laramie pleaded not guilty on Monday in Albany County District Court.

Twenty-year-old Dalton Williams is charged with one count of Murder in the Second Degree with an alternative charge of Manslaughter for his role in the death of 21-year-old Joseph McGowan, a UW art student from Lander.

Prosecutors say McGowan was attempting to break up a fight Halloween night when he was allegedly struck by Williams. The blow caused McGowan to fall, striking his head on the ground and causing serious head injuries. McGowan was air-lifted to a Colorado hospital where he died.

Williams is currently out on a $100,000 signature bond.

Murder in the Second Degree is a felony punishable of no less than 20 years to life imprisonment. Manslaughter is also a felony punishable of imprisonment for not more than 20 years

A trial has been set for June 1-5.