Murder suspects get hearings in different courtrooms

Two Fort Collins men accused of murdering two other men in February will have April court dates before different judges.

The two suspects, Edward J. Platzer, 39, and Mark J. Walker, 36, are accused of murdering Robert Hill, 54, and John Miller, 46, on Feb. 6 in the 4100 block of Cherry Hills Drive in north Fort Collins where Hill lived. The coroner's office confirmed that Hill and Miller died of gunshot wounds.

On March 12, District Court Judge Jolene Blair recused herself from presiding in Platzer's trial because she had prosecuted a case against him in 1991 when she worked in the district attorney's office. Judge Terry Gilmore was assigned Platzer's case. Platzer will appear in Gilmore's courtroom on April 1 at 1:30 p.m.

Blair has retained jurisdiction in Walker's case even though the district attorney's office asked that it also be transferred to Judge Gilmore for efficiency. Defense attorney Dave Johnson objected to the transfer, saying the suspects will have different defenses during their trials.

Blair agreed that it was important to balance the defendant's constitutional rights against the prosecutor's request. Walker will have a preliminary hearing in Blair's courtroom on April 23 at 1:30 p.m. Walker's bond will also be reviewed at that time.

Both men are being held in the Larimer County Detention Center. Both defendants have been charged with six felonies. The charges accuse Platzer and Walker of murder after deliberation, murder in commission of a robbery and murder in commission of a burglary, with each count filed for each victim.

An order limiting pretrial publicity remains in effect. As a result of the gag order, the sheriff's office and district attorney have released little information about the crimes.