Her son was gone, and she wanted to understand why. Instead of getting answers from officials who she believed held some responsibility, Kari Cochran found herself standing in a courtroom defending herself against stalking allegations. Her offense? She asked school officials difficult questions and made social media posts critical of their responses. Fortunately, an attorney with the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network stepped in to help defend Kari in court—and won.
Kari’s case clearly demonstrates why Wyoming lawmakers need to better protect residents from unscrupulous legal retaliation for engaging in perfectly legitimate political advocacy, particularly advocacy on behalf of their kids.
Kari had endured an unfathomable tragedy. Her son, Joran, died by suicide shortly after graduating from Rock Springs High School in southwest Wyoming. Events leading up to the loss of her son led Kari to investigate school policies and become a fierce advocate for her son and his sister, who also attended Sweetwater County School District #1. She was elected to the school board in 2022, but resigned in the wake of her son’s death, worn down by grief and frustrated with the board and other district officials.
After Joran’s passing, Kari began gathering her son’s records, facing stiff resistance from the district. She also continued to advocate for changes in school policies related to mental health, sexual harassment, and grading, and she was understandably critical of the district and various school officials at school board meetings and on social media. In response, the board adopted a more restrictive public comment policy.
Shockingly, some school officials retaliated against Kari’s criticism by falsely accusing her of stalking them, claims based on her critical social media posts and public advocacy. The petitions sought to restrict Kari’s speech, both online and at school board meetings—in fact, she could have been barred from even attending board meetings or any functions where certain school officials were present.
Kari suddenly found herself in court, facing a daunting legal process and serious allegations simply for criticizing public officials. She did so alone at first, attending an initial hearing without the benefit of legal representation. The judge initially assigned to hear the cases recused due to a potential conflict of interest, dragging out the ordeal even longer.
That’s when the Goldwater Institute stepped in to help defend Kari’s constitutional rights. Cassie Craven, a Wyoming attorney and new member of the Institute’s pro-bono American Freedom Network, agreed to take on Kari’s case and give her the legal representation she deserved.
The first case was dismissed immediately by a Circuit Court judge without a hearing. The judge rightly detailed in his order that Kari did not make any “threats of physical harm or assaults, or engage[] in surveillance, obscene statements, profanity or name-calling” that would constitute stalking under Wyoming law. Instead, the lawsuit was based entirely on “social media posts … detailing … displeasure with [the official’s] performance as Assistant Superintendent, related news media reports and articles as well as comments by other members of the public.” In other words, Kari had engaged in political speech.
The judge went even further, though, noting that the assistant superintendent who filed the lawsuit “is a public employee in a position of trust and authority charged with prudent expenditure of public funds, helping formulate and carry out school district policies, and to help ensure the safety, well-being and educational opportunities of the district’s children” and subject to public examination. “As a result,” the judge continued, the assistant superintendent’s “employment activities and performance are subject to public scrutiny … includ[ing] public comment, discussion and input whether complimentary or critical.”
Importantly, the judge concluded that Kari’s statements “fall within constitutionally protected speech” under both the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1 Section 20 of the Wyoming Constitution. The court reiterated that “[t]he Wyoming Legislature made it clear … that the stalking statutes [must] not be used to restrain one’s constitutionally protected right of expression, or as in this case, demonstration by speaking out critically about public officials.”
A second judge, presiding over a separate case brought by the superintendent’s wife, who’s also a contractor with the district, reached a similar conclusion and dismissed that petition. AFN Attorney Cassie Craven argued persuasively that the lawsuit chilled Kari’s constitutionally protected right to free speech and undermined her participation in public meetings where the superintendent, his wife, and/or the assistant superintendent were present—a right guaranteed by both the federal and state constitutions.
“I am profoundly grateful for the Goldwater Institute’s support, which empowered me to defeat the intimidation and punitive tactics that often arise when individuals dare to engage in free speech,” Kari says. “The loss of my son will always be the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. All I ever wanted was to ensure that no other child or parent would have to endure the same heartbreak.”
No parent should face time-consuming and costly litigation in retaliation for political advocacy, especially on behalf of their children. Many states prevent such abuses by enacting laws against what lawyers call “strategic litigation against public participation,” or “SLAPP” suits. Unfortunately, Wyoming is one of only 12 states without an anti-SLAPP statute, earning the state an “F” grade on the Institute for Free Speech’s 2025 Report Card on Anti-SLAPP Statutes.
Members of the Wyoming Legislature proposed an anti-SLAPP law during the 2025 legislative session, but the bill ultimately failed in committee by just one vote. Had it passed, the legislation would have provided Kari with immunity from these lawsuits, allowed her to get them dismissed more quickly, and enabled her to recover attorney fees and damages. Instead, the school officials faced no consequences for weaponizing the courts—no filing fees, no sanctions, no deterrent at all.
Even with her legal victories with the help of AFN and Goldwater, Kari paid a heavy price. She spent months under stress while preparing filings, attending hearings, and watching her speech rights be challenged by school officials. That’s exactly what anti-SLAPP laws are designed to prevent.
The Goldwater Institute and its network of pro bono attorneys will continue to defend constitutionally protected speech and parental rights in court across the country. Americans must remain free to criticize public officials without fear of unlawful retaliation or bureaucratic intimidation.
Parker Jackson is a Staff Attorney at the Goldwater Institute.
