MESITA — Court appearances will soon be over for George Richard Rostad, 45, accused of shooting and killing his uncle, Randolph Thatcher on June 23, 2015 in Mesita.

He has been held in lieu of $200,000 bond since then and recently pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder in connection with Thatcher’s death.

Chief 12^th Judicial Judge Pattie Swift set sentencing for 3 p.m. Sept. 27 in Costilla District Court. The crime carries with it a possible sentence of 1-24 years.

Rostad was charged with second-degree murder and violent crime causing death, a sentence enhancement.

Law enforcement officers responded to a reported shooting in Mesita at about 7:30 p.m. June 23 and took Rostad into custody. He is currently being held at the Costilla County Jail in connection with the fatal shooting of Thatcher, who suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. Thatcher was transported by ambulance to San Luis Valley Health in Alamosa where he was pronounced dead.

Deputy Keith Schultz arrived on scene and was able to apprehend Rostad without incident. Colorado State Patrol troopers assisted in the investigation and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was notified.

The Costilla County Sheriff’s Office thanked CSP, CSP Communication Center, CBI and the Costilla County Ambulance for their assistance in this investigation.