David Hendren, the defendant now charged in the 2009 homicide of Larry Fuller, appeared Wednesday in 6th Judicial District Court, where he was charged with first-degree murder.

In a brief hearing before Chief District Judge Jeffrey Wilson, Hendren, dressed in an orange jail uniform, said nothing other than the occasional whisper to his public defender, Ben Currier.

District Attorney Christian Champagne represented the state. A handful of the victim’s family members sat clustered in the corner of the courtroom.

Hendren, 38, was arrested May 18, more than 14 years after the man he is accused of killing was found dead on an Ignacio city street. Details in the arrest affidavit indicate Hendren may have intended to target a man with whom he had fought in a bar earlier that night. The man’s physical appearance resembled that of Fuller’s, who was at the same bar that night.

If convicted, Hendren would face a sentence of life in prison.

A hearing on Hendren’s bail is scheduled for the end of the month. A preliminary hearing will take place July 12.

rschafir@durangoherald.com