Donald Wayne Becker, who is accused of stabbing his roommate to death at their residence in northeast Colorado Springs, appeared at the El Paso County courthouse Monday for a preliminary hearing.

The body of Richard Card, 47, was found covered by a green tarp and wrapped in blood-soaked blankets near the west side of Monument Creek, near Garden of the Gods Road and Austin Bluffs Parkway, on April 28, according to court documents.

Becker, 44, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder the day after Card’s body was found about two blocks away from where the victim and Becker lived in the 4600 block of North Nevada Avenue, police said.

Colorado Springs police Det. Derek Graham testified that Becker’s girlfriend told him she heard the suspect and victim arguing from a bedroom in the apartment on April 17. After the argument stopped, the woman told Graham, Becker came into the bedroom and told her that he had killed Card.

Graham also testified that Becker’s girlfriend told him she stepped over Card’s body as she left the apartment and that there was a puddle of blood beside the dead man.

On April 29, Graham interviewed Becker, who denied any wrongdoing. When confronted with his girlfriend’s account, Becker allegedly told Graham: “Then you already know. I need to talk to a lawyer.”

Becker is set to be arraigned on Aug. 4.

Chris Robbie hugs Debbie Sayers, of Longmont, Monday after completing his 15th marathon. (Matthew Jonas / Longmont Times-Call)