Jeremiah Damron, of Cortez, was charged with first-degree murder in a hearing Friday at Montezuma County District Court.
Damron, 36, was arrested on July 20 on suspicion of homicide after the body of his mother, 62-year-old Kristie Damron, was found behind his mobile home in the 7000 block of County Road 21.75. The charge carries a minimum sentence of life in prison. Damron’s preliminary hearing on the charge is scheduled for Sept. 22.
Damron is undergoing mental health evaluation through the Colorado Department of Human Services. District Court Judge Todd Plewe scheduled a hearing for 11 a.m. Sept. 6 to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.
The preliminary hearing will begin at 9 a.m. on Sept. 22, and Plewe said it would be the only case on the docket for that day.