After using profanity, leveling threats and admitting to an apparent felony during her first court appearance, a Cody woman was much more contrite earlier this month.

At a March 10 hearing, 22-year-old Alexis Manoguerra tearfully read a letter of apology to Park County Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah.

“I deeply want to apologize to you for my actions and letting my feelings get the best of me and for being disrespectful in your courtroom,” Manoguerra began. “These things will never happen again and I’m very remorseful, and do what it takes to be released from jail …”

Judge Darrah had previously set Manoguerra’s bond at $25,000 cash on a felony count of property destruction and two misdemeanor counts of stalking. However, after hearing the apology and arguments from her court-appointed attorney, Darrah agreed to lower Manoguerra’s bond to $25,000 cash or surety — effectively giving her the option of hiring a bondsman for $2,500. She did so and was released from jail hours later with a location-tracking ankle monitor.

A ‘very toxic’ situation

Authorities allege Manoguerra repeatedly harassed her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, made vague threats and etched a vulgar insult into the side of the other woman’s vehicle last month.

She was arrested by Cody police on March 2, just a short time before she was due in circuit court for a protection order hearing requested by her ex and his girlfriend. Though Darrah offered to postpone the hearing and advised her not to talk about the allegations given the pending criminal charges, Manoguerra proceeded to, as the judge put it, make things harder for herself. Among other things, she flipped off the camera, admitted to keying the word “whore” into the other woman’s vehicle — the basis for the felony charge — warned that the situation would only get worse and said she hoped the couple would die.

Manoguerra briefly apologized in court the following day, explaining it was a “very toxic” situation, but offered a lengthier, more emotional one last week.

“I cannot apologize enough,” she said on March 10. “This is my first time ever going to jail, and I can swear I promise to you that it will also be my last time ever going to jail, and that I have learned my lesson and will right my wrongdoings however I need to do so.”

Manoguerra’s public defender, Sam Krone, said his client had no criminal history and reiterated that the protection order hearing with her ex was “very difficult for her.”

“I think she may not have been aware of the serious nature of the proceedings at the time; I believe for certain she is now,” Krone told the court. He called the situation “a big wake up call” for his client and said he hoped she’s aware that “there’s going to be eyes on her throughout the community” if she was released on bond.

Threats give judge ‘pause’

Krone asked that bond be lowered to $10,000 cash or surety, with an ankle monitor helping ensure she stays away from her ex and his girlfriend.

However, Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Marina Tucker opposed a reduction, noting Manoguerra’s prior conduct in the courtroom and the allegation that she continued harassing the couple after being repeatedly warned to stop by law enforcement.

“There are concerns that she has an inability to manage herself when she is emotional,” Tucker said, “which, again, resulted in continuing to harass and stalk two victims, as well as to commit serious property damage …”

Darrah said he, too, has concerns about Manoguerra’s behavior.

While willing to disregard the profanity and disrespect to the court, “you used all kinds of gestures. You made threats toward the alleged victims. That causes me a lot of pause,” the judge said.

However, Darrah ultimately was willing to allow a surety bond given the protection orders in place, the GPS ankle monitor and the monitoring that will be provided by a bail bondsman.

He warned Manoguerra to take the case seriously and suggested she start counseling for anger management.

“I hope you have learned from this,” Darrah said. “I think maybe you have.”

Earlier in the hearing, the judge found there was enough evidence for the charges against Manoguerra to proceed toward a trial in Park County District Court. She’s due in district court on April 3 for an arraignment, where she’ll formally enter a plea to the charges.