A Towaoc man accused of murder is being held without bond in the La Plata County Detention Facility.
In a Nov. 10 hearing in Durango, Magistrate Judge David L. West found probable cause to detain Clarence M. Lehi, 55, according to court minutes.
Also at the hearing, Assistant Public Defender Scott T. Varholak was appointed to represent Lehi. Varholak could not be immediately reached for comment.
Lehi is now set for an arraignment and a discovery hearing at 9 a.m. Dec. 2 at U.S. District Court in Durango.
Lehi was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly fatally shooting 22-year-old Winslow Bigsoldier at Lehis home in Towaoc.
According to court documents, Lehi told investigators Bigsoldier had previously assaulted him and he shot the man out of self defense.
A witness reported seeing Lehi wrap a rifle in a blanket and hearing Lehi ask Bigsoldier, Come over here. I have a present for you, preceding two gunshots.
Bigsoldier was pronounced dead at the scene, and an unidentified juvenile was treated and released for metal fragments lodged in the hip.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S. Attorneys Office, said a spokesperson with the FBI in Denver.
If convicted, Lehi could face the death penalty or life in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com.
