Haire sentenced for manslaughter

Wednesday, May 4 in Washakie County Fifth Judicial District Court, Anthony Haire of Worland was sentenced to 8-10 years with the Wyoming Department of Corrections.

The sentence is for a charge of manslaughter, stemming from an April 13, 2015 incident during which Haire shot and killed his stepfather-in-law, Jamye Don SoRelle. Both Haire and SoRelle are formerly of Hot Springs County.

Prosecuting attorney John P. Worrall said that, during sentencing, SoRelle’s daughter Kelly Sharpensteen spoke of how hard it is to have her father taken from her. Worrall noted SoRelle was 58 years old, and his family is losing out on perhaps another 20-plus years of being with him.

Worrall also noted Haire’s wife, Liz, asserted Haire was defending his family, and his grandmother, Shirley, spoke of Haire’s being a good person. Haire also made a statement to SoRelle’s family, apologizing for his actions.

Worrall said Judge Robert E. Skar noted the most troubling thing about the case was Haire shot 12 times at SoRelle, hitting him nine times; of those, three were after SoRelle was on the ground.

Worrall requested a prison sentence of 15-17 years for Haire — the maximum being 20 — but noted Haire did have a short criminal record with a couple minor offenses and an incident of aggravated assault with a weapon.

As for the April 2015 incident, Worrall provided some background, explaining SoRelle asked Haire and his wife to move onto his property in order to provide help as needed, which the couple did. The day of the incident, Worrall said, SoRelle was invited over for a barbecue. A friend of the Haires came as well.

It appeared SoRelle left the barbecue unhappy, Worrall said, and when the friend went to leave she found her vehicle was blocked by one of SoRelle’s. After attempting to speak to SoRelle at his home about the matter, SoRelle came out of his home with a firearm.

Haire contends that SoRelle fired at him, Worrall said, and there was evidence to indicate this. Haire got the other two people inside, and got a .40 semiautomatic from his vehicle.

At this point, Worrall said, it appears SoRelle was walking away from Haire, who took up a defensive position behind another vehicle. Haire called out to SoRelle, the attorney said, and claims he saw the flash of a gun coming up in SoRelle’s hand so he fired. There was indication he hit SoRelle with the first shot, though he would later unload the gun at him.

Worrall pointed out when SoRelle fired the shot, it was Haire’s right to defend himself. However, when SoRelle walked away he disengaged, and it was Haire’s calling to him that caused the re-engagement. Worrall further pointed out if a confrontational person is disabled, the other party must also disengage.

Something that might have gone against Haire was during his testimony he spoke about what a good shot he was and having taken combat shooting courses. Though he further said he was afraid during the incident, Worrall said, Haire’s actions and the number of hits indicate otherwise.

Additionally, Haire was charged with reckless endangerment, as three of the bullets flew across a busy highway. Part of his sentence includes one year in Washakie County Jail suspended, and one year of unsupervised probation. He must also pay $11,113.50 restitution to SoRelle’s daughter for use of life insurance toward funeral costs.

Haire was given five days credit for time already served, and Worrall expects him to be eligible for parole in seven years. The attorney noted victims must be contacted in the event of parole hearings, and he expects SoRelle’s family will be against Haire’s release.