The preliminary hearing for a Star Valley Ranch man accused of manslaughter was held in Circuit Court in Kemmerer on Thursday, June 26. The hearing was for Star Valley Ranch resident Jared Erickson, 52, who is being charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of his wife Tennille Erickson in November of 2024.

After a somewhat contentious hearing which included multiple objections from both the prosecution and defense, Kemmerer Circuit Court Judge Gregory Corpening  ultimately ruled that there was enough “concerning” evidence to advance the case to a jury trial in District Court. The ruling does not include any conviction and does allude to Erickson being guilty or innocent, but rather there is probable cause to keep pursuing the charge.

“It’s certainly a circumstantial case and there’s a lot of evidence that would go into a trial that would not go into a preliminary hearing,” stated Judge Corpening at the conclusion of the hearing. “There are defenses that will be explored that are well beyond issues of this court’s responsibilities.”

Over the course of the hearing, Special Prosecutor Blaine Nelson argued that evidence of probable cause came from text messages sent by Tennille before her death. One to Jared that included pictures of her bruised face and asking if she should “send these around” and another text to a friend stating that Jared had just beaten her.  Nelson also argued that autopsy findings showed that Tennille had died from blunt force trauma to the head that did not appear to be from an accidental fall.

Jared’s defense attorney, John Bowers, argued that Tennille had suffered the fatal head injuries after falling on her own, pointing to Tennille’s previous alcoholic behavior and resulting medical conditions. Bowers also pointed to a lengthy affidavit filed by law enforcement, calling it full of rumors, speculation and gossip rather than facts and hard evidence. Bowers ultimately asked the court to dismiss the case without prejudice.

Following the hearing, Jared Erickson, who had previously pleaded not guilty at his initial hearing, remains released on bond. A date for his arraignment in District Court is expected to be set soon, at which time he will enter a new plea with the case likely going to a jury trial afterwards.

Erickson was arrested on May 27 following a six month investigation into the death of Tennille, his wife. Court documents state that the investigation began on November 17, 2024 when Erickson called 911 at 6:37 p.m. reporting that his wife was non-responsive in their bedroom and that there was blood and vomit on the bed. Erickson told the 911 operator that they had been in separate rooms for a few hours and that when he checked on her, she was in the condition he called to report.

The investigation showed that Tennille had a blood alcohol level of 0.14% at the time of her passing. She had been drinking the night of November 16 when she and Jared got into an argument. Tenille eventually locked herself into the master bedroom where she was found deceased later the next day. Ensuing court proceedings will determine if Jared played a part in Tenille’s death. If convicted, Voluntary Manslaughter is a felony punishable by up to twenty years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000.