TORRINGTON – Jaedan Redder, formerly of Torrington, has struck a plea agreement with the State of Wyoming to answer charges related to an incident in December that resulted in the shooting of another man. 

Redder was originally charged with aggravated assault and battery, but pleaded guilty to a pair of lesser charges on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of reckless endangering. 

In exchange for the guilty pleas, Redder will have the ability to avoid a lengthy incarceration due to Wyoming’s first offender statute, which places offenders on probation instead of in prison. The charge is dismissed if the probation is successfully completed. If the probation is violated, Redder could face up to five years in prison. 

Redder spent months in jail after his arrest, and he received credit for those days to answer to the misdemeanor charge. 

Redder was forced to lay a factual basis for the change of plea. He admitted to having a gun and pointing it at the victim, Austin Peters of Torrington, to intimidate him, but did not know the caliber or make of the pistol. 

“I’m not sure why I was pointing,” Redder said. “It was irresponsible on my side. I pointed it at” Peters.

“My intention was to point it – my intention was the assault by pointing it at him was to put him in fear.”

Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Patrick Korell told Redder that by agreeing to the first offender statute, he gives up his right to a trial if he violates probation, and he could face a stiffer sentence. 

“You give up some of your rights, like the right to a trial, to have the state present witnesses, to cross-examine them and to call your own witnesses,” Korell said. 

“The benefit, if the court sees it fits, is that this matter would be dismissed. The downside is that there is no trial. The court would already know you violated probation, and there might be a more severe sentence.”

While the prosecution and defense were able to come to the agreement, Korell has the final word on Redder’s fate. Redder will learn his fate during a sentencing hearing, which Korell said will take place within 60 days. 

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in the case, a pair of witnesses told the Torrington Police Department they witnessed Redder allegedly put the gun to his victim’s head before the victim was shot in the stomach. 

“(The witnesses) said they were in the room and witnessed, personally, (Peters) being shot by Jaedan Redder,” the affidavit said. “Both said they watched Jaeden put the gun to Peters’ head while Peters was seated. Both said Peters grabbed the gun and pulled it to his stomach. Both said the gun went off and Peters was shot.”

The affidavit said one witness told the police he and two others drove to the country and threw the gun out of the vehicle. 

“I drove (the witness) to the area and he was able to point out where the gun was thrown from the vehicle,” according to the affidavit.

“The firearm was located. It was a Glock 19 with a tan slide and black grip.”