Christopher A. Crofts Records and Research Materials of the Edward L. Cantrell Murder Trial and Investigation, 1969-2013

Christopher A. "Kip" Crofts was a Wyoming lawyer, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Director, and United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming. He was hired in March 1978 as the Deputy Director/Legal Advisor for the Wyoming DCI. On July 15, 1978, Michael Rosa, an undercover police officer, was murdered in Rock Springs, Wyoming by the accused, Ed Cantrell, a Wyoming law enforcement officer and Public Safety Director of Rock Springs. The murder happened amidst the backdrop of corruption accusations against Rock Springs and Wyoming Governor Ed Herschler by the Wyoming DCI Director, Neil Compton. This received national news attention when “60 minutes” aired two shows regarding the corruption charges. Governor Herschler fired Compton and the DCI Agents who appeared on the “60 Minutes” program and convened a Grand Jury in Laramie County to investigate. An investigator for the Grand Jury, Cecil Cundy, subpoenaed Michael Rosa to testify at the Grand Jury, but he never made it and allegations spread that he was murdered to prevent his testimony. Because the Wyoming DCI had not yet hired new agents, Crofts had to investigate the murder of Michael Rosa, which led to the State filing first degree murder charges against Ed Cantrell. Ed Cantrell was represented by Wyoming attorney, Gerry Spence, and acquitted of the 1st degree murder charge. In 1982, Gerry Spence wrote a book about the case titled “Gunning for Justice.”