Willoughby Gets New Trial

Troy Dean Willoughby will be getting a new trial. District Court Judge Timothy Day issued the ruling Tuesday, vacating Willoughby’s murder conviction, and ordering a new trial. Willoughby was convicted of the murder of Lisa Ehlers, who was shot to death outside her car in a turnout at the south end of the Hoback Canyon on June 21st, 1984. On January 29, 2010 Willoughby was convicted of the first degree murder of Ehlers. On June 10, 2011, the new Sublette County & Prosecuting Attorney, Neal Stelting, gave notice to the defense team of previously undisclosed evidence, which could have assisted in Willoughby’s defense.  The order signed by Judge Day stated …. quote…. “The Defendant’s Motion for New Trial was prompted by the disclosure of the report to the Defendant by the Sublette County & Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Court suspects that the evidence withheld in this matter was done under a misguided zeal that the disclosure of the report may result in a failure of justice, in the eyes of the investigators, because they “knew” the Defendant was guilty. If this philosophy prevails, the danger is that there will be a failure of justice because of the mentality that the ends justify the means; justice as measured by the government and not by the jury.”  Judge Day’s order did not set a new date or place for the new trial.