A Hermosa man suspected of killing his close friend appeared Friday in La Plata County District Court and got a new court date.

District Judge David Dickinson set Feb. 24 for an arraignment, during which Justin Wiese will have to enter a plea to second-degree murder.

Wiese is suspected of shooting and killing Darrick Zuber, 42, after a late night of drinking April 19 or early April 20 at Wiese’s home at 152 Hermosa Circle north of Durango.

The case has been delayed several months while prosecutors wait for forensic evidence to be tested by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

District Attorney Todd Risberg said Friday he is ready to proceed with the case with the evidence he has received.

Wiese is being represented by Durango lawyers David Greenberg and Ingrid Alt.

Wiese called 911 at about 7:15 a.m. April 20 to report he found Zuber’s body facedown on the floor between the kitchen and dining area, possibly the result of suicide.

Zuber had a gunshot wound near the back of his left shoulder. A medical examiner said Zuber couldn’t have possibly shot himself because it would have been impossible for him to contort his body to make the bullet travel through his torso in that direction.

Both men worked at Durango Mountain Resort. Zuber worked in the maintenance department for about 10 years. Wiese was the director of information technology and worked at DMR for about six years.

DMR has declined to say whether Wiese remains employed with the resort.

shane@durangoherald.com