Judge Raises Concerns Over Plea Deal in Natrona County Child Abuse Case, Accepts Guilty Plea

A Natrona County District Court judge this week openly questioned prosecutors about the reasoning behind a plea agreement that would spare a Casper man prison time after he admitted to felony child abuse. Michael Clay Crain, 39, pleaded guilty to the charge in exchange for a recommended suspended sentence of two to four years.

During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Catherine Wilking directly asked Assistant District Attorney Pat LeBrun to explain “the thought process behind this agreement” after LeBrun outlined the deal. The prosecution cited potential difficulties in proving a key element of the charge at trial: that Crain was officially “a person responsible for the child’s welfare.”