Man sentenced 4-6 in prison for involuntary manslaughter in dispute over parking space

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Cody McCalla, 34, was sentenced in 4th Judicial District Court Monday morning to four to six years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

The case concluded nine months after McCalla and 48-year-old Patrick Mudd got into a fight July 12, 2024, resulting in Mudd’s death.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the fight was instigated over a parking spot. Two witnesses on the scene said Mudd and McCalla were having an argument near the Sheridan County Fairgrounds in Sheridan about a parking-related issue.

During a motion to dismiss hearing Jan. 30-31, witnesses discussed how the fight started and ended. Dustin Wheeler, who was with McCalla during the incident, and Jennifer Gage — Mudd’s girlfriend — were two of the 14 witnesses that testified during the two day hearing. The motion to dismiss under self-defense was denied Feb. 4.

McCalla originally pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter during his arraignment Sept. 5, 2024. On Feb. 19, McCalla changed his plea to no contest after the motion to dismiss under self-defense was denied.

A plea of no contest has the same effect as a guilty plea, but the defendant is not admitting guilt.

A notice of appeal was later filed by McCalla and his attorney March 5. The notice of appeal will be sent to the Wyoming Supreme Court after sentencing.

This story was published on April 21, 2025.