A 12 person jury has found a New Zealand woman guilty of manslaughter following the death of her fiancé’ near Kemmerer. The verdict was handed to Monique Sullivan, 31, at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 17 following a week long trial in Kemmerer.

Sullivan, who was in Kemmerer with a group of sheep shearers from New Zealand, was charged with second degree murder on February 20, 2023 after she stabbed Andrew Moore, who was also from New Zealand and working with the sheep shearers. Moore passed away after being transported to South Lincoln Medical Center. Sullivan was also transported to SLMC shortly after with self inflicted knife wounds to her wrist. While at the hospital she admitted to stabbing Moore and was taken into custody. Sullivan later pleaded not-guilty on the basis of self defense.

After deliberating for roughly six hours, the jury found that though Moore had reportedly been abusive to Sullivan in the past and was rude, that Sullivan was not acting in self defense when the incident happened. The jury then had to choose between second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, settling on the lesser manslaughter charge which comes with a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison. The murder charge is punishable by 20 years to life in prison.

Sullivan will remain at the Lincoln County Detention Center in Kemmerer with a sentencing date set for December 20.