A 30-year-old man from Riverton, Wyoming, Nicholas Joren Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges on Thursday during a court arraignment in Fremont County District Court. The incident he’s accused of involves the tragic death of his 29-year-old cousin and friend, Pete Ouray. As the hearing unfolded, emotions ran high, with Ouray’s family visibly heartbroken over the loss of their loved one.
Emotional Court Hearing
During the arraignment, Blackburn appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit, black-rimmed glasses, and shackles, sitting next to his defense attorney, Valerie Schoneberger. When prompted by Judge Jason Conder, he entered his plea:
“I plead not guilty, your honor,” Blackburn stated.
Judge Conder has scheduled the trial for March 17, and Schoneberger requested that Blackburn’s bond be reduced from $50,000 cash-only to $10,000 cash or surety. However, Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun opposed the motion, citing Blackburn’s history of battery and domestic battery convictions and the violent nature of the incident. The judge ultimately agreed with the prosecution, maintaining the bond at $50,000.
Family’s Heartfelt Reaction
The parents of Pete Ouray—his mother, Alvina Ouray, and stepfather, Rudy Apodaca—sat in the courtroom, holding a framed photograph of their late son. As the hearing progressed, they were overcome with emotion, with Alvina weeping throughout the proceedings. Apodaca provided support, wrapping his arm around Alvina’s shoulders.
Following the court session, the grieving parents were seen heading to their car, while Blackburn was escorted by Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies to the jail transport van. As Blackburn passed by, Alvina and Rudy watched in silence.
Speaking to Cowboy State Daily afterward, Alvina voiced her commitment to seeking justice for her son and others who may have suffered because of Blackburn’s alleged actions:
“When the trial starts, I wish to have support from all who’ve been victimized by Nicholas,” she said tearfully. “I’ll be their voice for them.”
The Incident: A Family Tragedy
According to the case affidavit, Blackburn and Ouray were cousins and friends. On the evening of March 14, Blackburn reportedly visited the Riverton home that Pete shared with his mother and stepfather. Family members confirmed to investigators that they had given Blackburn a ride to Pete’s home that night.
Alvina told authorities that she went to bed while the two men were talking. However, around midnight, she was awakened by the sound of them arguing. “Calm down and knock it off,” Pete reportedly told Blackburn, though Alvina noted that it wasn’t unusual for the cousins to argue.
By the morning of March 15, at around 6:30 a.m., Alvina discovered Blackburn sleeping on the couch. She was getting ready for work when she realized something was terribly wrong.
Conclusion: A Community Awaiting Justice
As Nicholas Blackburn faces manslaughter charges, the Riverton community and Pete Ouray’s family are left to grieve and seek justice for their loss. With the trial set for March 17, the case has drawn attention due to the deep emotional ties between the two men involved and Blackburn’s troubling history. The Ouray family, especially Alvina, remains determined to represent not only their son but also others who may have suffered due to Blackburn’s alleged violent behavior.
The outcome of this trial is eagerly awaited by the family, the community, and all those impacted by this tragic event.
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