PINEDALE — The probable cause hearings for Rowan Littauer, 19, and Orion Schlesinger, 18, originally scheduled for February 13, were continued to March 11 after the public defenders involved requested more time to prepare due to the complexity of the capital murder cases. Following the initial appearances of the Big Piney High School students in Sublette County Circuit Court on February 7, Elisabeth Trefonas was appointed to represent Littauer in the felony murder and mutilation cases against him, and Rachel Weksler was appointed to represent Schlesinger on the charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and felony theft of a firearm.
They were arrested on February 5 in connection with the February 2 murder of Dakota Farley, a 23-year-old Big Piney man who had autism and was enrolled online at Colorado State University to become a video game developer. Deputies found the former Sublette County Special Olympics competitor lying face down on his living room floor, having been impaled by arrows through his right arm and chest. His body was mutilated post-mortem; his skull was inflicted with approximately eight BBs.

Search warrants executed by the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office at Littauer’s residence on February 5 resulted in the seizure of a black compound bow, black arrows, broadhead arrow tips and a BB gun pistol.

In a February 11 interview, Farley’s parents Ray and Pamela described Schlesinger and Littauer as their son Dakota’s “closest” and “most trusted” friends. The pair remain in custody at the Sublette County Detention Center in Pinedale, each being held on a $5 million cash-only bond. 

Farley’s funeral was held on February 14 at the Big Piney Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Raffle tickets are still available for $20 each at Studio 23 in Pinedale and at the Fast Stop in Big Piney, where Farley had worked for three years before recently starting a new job at the Daniel Junction. Two raffle winners will receive a guided fishing trip donated by Reel Deal Anglers and River Rat Shuttles, each valued at $850. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Farley family. Tickets will be on sale until March 31.

Farley loved to fish, swim, hunt and camp. A GoFundMe account benefiting the Farley family can be found by searching, “Help Dakota Farley’s Family in Their Grief.” 

Additional allegations

Littauer appeared in Sublette County Circuit Court via video on February 13 where he pleaded guilty to failing to report damages after he lost control of the red 2014 Dodge Journey he was driving on the icy street in his Big Piney neighborhood and struck a chainlink fence, then fled the scene. 

On January 31, Sublette County Sheriff’s Deputy Nate Mastin responded to the scene of the crash after the homeowners noticed red paint transfer on their mangled fence, according to court filings. Deputy Mastin observed clearly defined tire tracks in the snow that led to the fence and then drove away. Red paint on the center fence pole was visible from the impact. Mastin also observed a vehicle light in the snow near the damaged fence. 

After driving around the block, the deputy located the suspect vehicle parked in a driveway. Littauer answered the door when the deputy knocked. The deputy asked Littauer how the crash happened and the young man told him he lost control due to the icy roads and that he didn’t report the crash because he was, “nervous about the repercussions.” 

The deputy inspected the Dodge Journey in the driveway and observed there to be scuff marks on the driver’s side fender of the front bumper as well as a missing fog light that, “perfectly matched the one discovered at the scene,” according to court records. 

Jason Hamilton, who identified himself to Mastin as Littauer’s guardian and the owner of the mid-size SUV, told the deputy that the vehicle was insured but, “they couldn’t find any documentation.”

Following Littauer’s guilty plea in court on February 13, Sublette County Circuit Court Judge John LaBuda entered a conviction. Prosecutor Clayton Melinkovich requested additional time before a sentencing hearing to determine an appropriate amount of restitution and provide the property owners an opportunity to address the defendant. In addition to restitution, the misdemeanor charge is punishable by a fine of up to $750.