Man accused in Realtor's murder formally charged

DOUGLAS COUNTY - A Denver man accused in the murder of a well-known Realtor in Castle Rock and Castle Pines was charged with first-degree murder Thursday.

Forty-five-year-old Warren Worthington was arrested on a warrant for first-degree murder last Sunday. He appeared in court Thursday morning and was formally charged. He now faces a potential punishment of up to life in prison or the death penalty.

On January 6 a passerby found the body of 61-year-old Henry Blair on Happy Canyon Road near Interstate 25.

Worthington is being held in the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility on a no bond hold.

In a Monday morning press conference, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said, "Through the investigative process it was determined that the suspect and victim were involved in a business transaction, specifically a landlord-tenant relationship with the victim being the landlord. The business itself is located in the city of Denver."

Blair's autopsy showed that he died from massive bodily injury, from cutting and blunt force trauma, due to stab wounds and auto-pedestrian injuries, according to the Douglas County Coroner.

Based on records from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Worthington has a criminal history dating back to 2005. Some of his previous charges include larceny, damage to property and theft.

On Thursday, the court said further proceedings would take place on Feb. 20 so that council has chance to take a better look at the case.

A preliminary hearing has not been set and documents in the case remain sealed.