BREAKING: Jury selection is currently underway in Garfield County District Court for the highly anticipated trial of John Michael Worley, charged with the 2021 homicide of Wayne Moore. The courtroom buzzed with dozens of prospective jurors this morning as Ninth Judicial District Judge Anne K. Norrdin initiated the selection process.
The trial is set to last approximately three weeks, with testimony expected to begin shortly after the jury is finalized. Worley, aged 31, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence related to Moore’s death. He remains in custody at the Garfield County Jail, with a bail set at $200,000. The trial is scheduled to conclude by March 4, 2024.
The case stems from a tragic incident on May 11, 2021, when Moore was found bleeding and unresponsive in his vehicle along U.S. Highway 6, west of Parachute. Authorities confirmed he had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, leading to a ruling of homicide.
Following an extensive investigation by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and partner agencies, Worley was arrested in May 2024. Prosecutors allege that Worley intentionally caused Moore’s death and subsequently tampered with evidence related to the crime over a span of three years.
Deputy District Attorneys Eric Lund and Benjamin Sollers are representing the state, while Worley is defended by attorneys Scott Troxell and Christine Kelly.
As the trial progresses, the community remains on edge, reflecting on the serious implications of this case. The outcome could have lasting effects on public safety perceptions and local justice proceedings. Stay updated as we follow this developing story.
This ongoing trial is not just about a single case; it represents broader issues of violence and justice in the region. As jurors are selected, all eyes are on Garfield County, and the stakes have never been higher.
