The man being held on suspicion of murdering Jonathan Hayes, of Dolores, was officially charged Friday with first-degree murder.
Luther Hampson, 26, of Dolores, was advised of the charge during an appearance in Montezuma County Court. Two counts of a crime of violence and two counts of habitual criminal, sentence enhancers, were also filed at Fridays hearing.
The body of 27-year-old Hayes was found on Jan. 14 a few miles west of Dolores after being reported to the Montezuma County Sheriffs Deputies by hikers.
Hayes, according to District Attorney Russell Wasley, said apparently died from a wound to the throat.
This was a very violent crime, Wasley said in court last week.
Charges filed in court indicated that a sharp edged instrument was used to kill Hayes on or about Jan. 6.
After Hampsons court appearance, Montezuma County Sheriff Dennis Spruell said the investigation into Hayes murder is still underway.
We are still continuing the investigation, Spruell said. We have interviewed countless numbers of people.
Spruell added that he doesnt expect any other arrests.
We are confident that there are no other suspects, he added.
Shortly after Hayes body was found, detectives with the Montezuma County Sheriffs Office were putting in 20-hour days to find a suspect and try and solve the case, Spruell said.
Spruell said he wasnt positive how long it was before the body was discovered, only that it had been a while, however, charges filed in court indicated the crimes occurred on or about Jan. 6.
Family members of Hayes filled the courtroom, some held hands, others glanced at the floor as Hampson was brought into the courtroom, handcuffed and wearing a tan jumpsuit.
Hampson stood and said nothing during the court appearance as Montezuma County Judge JenniLynn Lawrence discussed proceedings with attorneys.
Hayes aunt, Cory Yazzie said the family misses him so much, as she shuffled through photos of Hayes, a baby photo and another of him standing with his arm around his mother, a black dog in the snow at his feet.
He was so nice, she said. We miss him so much.
Hampson, represented by attorney Justin Bogan, waived explanation of charges Friday.
Hampson has had brushes with the law before and has described himself in court papers as an ex-methamphetamine addict who battles with the addiction every day.
Sentence enhancers indicated Hampson pled guilty to a felony, possession of burglary tools, in 2007 and again in 2008. Hampson has also pled guilty to a felony, possession of a controlled substance.
According to a background check through the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Hampson has had no previous convictions for violent crimes.
Hampson is being held on a $300,000 cash bond. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3 in Montezuma District Court, during which a preliminary hearing is expected to be set. Evidence is often presented during a preliminary hearing and a judge decides whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
