Rostad in court on 2015 homicide

SAN LUIS — The case has run slowly through the court system for George Richard Rostad, 45, accused of shooting and killing his uncle, Randolph Thatcher on June 23, 2015 in Mesita.

He has been held in lieu of $200,000 bond since then and appeared in custody this week for another pre-trial readiness conference before Chief 12th Judicial Judge Pattie Swift.

Attorneys for both the defense and prosecution asked for more time, since they are still working on discovery issues. Another pretrial hearing will be held at 2 p.m. June 28, with a jury trial planned at 8 a.m. August 8.

The case has been heard in 12th Judicial District Court in Costilla County more than 25 times since the original offense date and has been continued for various reasons.

Rostad is charged with second-degree murder and violent crime causing death, a sentence enhancement.

Public Defender Amanda Hopkins represents Rostad, while the people are represented by Deputy 12th Judicial District Attorney Ashley Fetyko and Dan Edwards, senior assistant Colorado Attorney General - violent crimes assistance unit.

Law enforcement officers responding to a reported shooting in Mesita at about 7:30 p.m. June 23 took Rostad into custody. He is currently being held at the Costilla County Jail in connection with the fatal shooting of Thatcher, who suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Deputy Keith Schultz arrived on scene and was able to apprehend Rostad without incident. Colorado State Patrol troopers assisted at the scene and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was notified.

Thatcher was transported by ambulance to San Luis Valley Health in Alamosa where he was pronounced dead.