Fort Collins man found guilty of two murders

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Edward Platzer will spend the rest of his life in prison while his accomplice Mark Walker will serve 28 years for murdering Robert Hill and John Miller.

A jury on July 28 convicted Platzer, 41, of four counts of first-degree murder for shooting Hill and Miller to death while robbing guns, cash and cocaine from Hill's home north of Fort Collins. Platzer was acquitted of two additional charges of first-degree murder with deliberation.

Aided by Walker's testimony fingering Platzer as the true triggerman, the jury returned the verdict after almost nine hours of deliberation. Conviction on each count results in a mandatory sentence of life without parole. At the request of both the defense and prosecution, however, formal sentencing was delayed until Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. - allowing members of Hill's and Miller's families an opportunity to speak.

Five days after Platzer's conviction, the court formally imposed on Walker the 28-year sentence stipulated in the plea agreement. In exchange for his testimony and cooperation, Walker was permitted to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder.

Walker admitted accompanying Platzer in the robbery of Hill's Cherry Hills Drive home on Feb. 6, 2004. But he insisted that Platzer murdered Hill and Miller. Defense attorneys countered that there was no evidence directly linking Platzer to the crime scene. They further argued that only Walker, driven by delusions resulting from prolonged use of methamphetamine, had a motive to commit the murders.