Andrew “Beau” Barrett, 39, of Casper, Wyoming, who faces up to life in prison under Wyoming’s habitual offender statute, pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency in Natrona County District Court on Wednesday, July 24.
The charges stem from a violent incident on May 13 at the Natrona County Detention Center, in which Barrett allegedly bit off Deputy Chad Beckett’s fingertip. Barrett was already on felony probation from a previous similar offense at a hospital in 2021.
Probation officers arrested him at his home after he posted a series of erratic and threatening social media posts. Officers discovered marijuana and methamphetamine during the arrest, which resulted in two additional third-time felony drug possession charges.
Barrett’s public defender, Jonathan Foreman, stated in court that “whatever happened that day has passed,” and that Barrett’s mental health diagnoses require further psychiatric evaluation at a state facility to determine his awareness of the crime’s illegality.
Despite Foreman’s remote appearance, Barrett attended the hearing in person, arriving in a wheelchair after losing a leg in a motorcycle accident.
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Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson emphasized Barrett’s violent history and requested a $100,000 cash-only bond. Nelson detailed Barrett’s extensive criminal history, which included multiple DUIs, domestic violence charges, and a previous aggravated assault.
“I’ve never heard a list like that. “It’s quite the list,” Barrett said on video during his first appearance, adding, “I’m just a guy trying to get by.”
