Last week in the 4th Judicial District, a former Fountain City Council member set her case for trial amid theft allegations, and an El Paso County judge ruled to bind over, or accept, the charges faced by the Cog Railway attack suspect.

Here is a rundown of some of the hearings for the upcoming week.

Monday
The Return to Nature funeral home case is in the spotlight once again, with owner Carie Hallford appearing in court Monday.

Earlier this year, victims in the case objected to Jon Hallford’s state plea agreement that would have seen him sent to prison for 20 years, a term running concurrently to his 20-year federal sentence handed down over the summer.

Those objections led to an El Paso County judge rejecting the deal, and a second September agreement was also thrown out, setting the state case for a February 2026 trial.

Victims once again will be able to make their voices heard in objection to Carie Hallford’s state deal, which is currently the same conditions as the since-thrown-out plea for her co-defendant.

The case started in October 2023, when investigators discovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies in the Penrose location after reports of a “foul odor” led to a search on the property.

Wednesday
Back in court Wednesday for a plea hearing is Ruben Sandoval.

Sandoval, 20, was arrested in May and faces eight counts of attempted murder with “extreme indifference” for allegedly shooting on April 8, at a home in the 2100 block of East Willamette Avenue.

Sandoval also faces several charges related to the illegal discharge of a firearm. There were eight people in the house at the time, including a baby, according to investigators.

According to court documents, the drive-by shooting followed an alleged internet “beef” that turned violent.

Thursday
The man accused of killing an El Paso County ranch hand in 2021 is set for sentencing, five years after the slaying.

Court records show Kevin Chaparro-Macias, 28, entered into an August plea agreement with the prosecution that had him admit guilt to second-degree murder, with the remaining charges to be dismissed.

Chaparro-Macias initially faced charges of first-degree murder and tampering with a corpse.

The victim, Donaciano Amaya, was found dead May 12, 2021, in the 6000 block of South Johnson Road near Rush after deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check.

Amaya reportedly worked as a ranch hand for Courtney and Nicole Mallery, two Black ranchers in Yoder whose ongoing, highly-publicized dispute with a neighbor has led to allegations of stalking and racism.

Friday

The Colorado Springs man facing charges for reportedly killing his roommate before going on to confess to the crime to law enforcement is set to enter a plea in a 4th Judicial District courtroom Friday.

Jason Crade-Fontana, 22, was arrested in February after calling police to say that he had stabbed his roommate, Thomas Woodard, to death. Woodard, diagnosed with Williamson disorder, was 34.

The last time Crade-Fontano appeared in court, the defense indicated its client may enter a not guilty by reason of insanity plea.

Stay with The Gazette this week for updates on these hearings and more.