A Grand Junction man accused of fatally stabbing a man in Cortez last year will be transferred from Grand Junction to Cortez to face a hearing about charges and bond in 22nd Judicial District Court.

Blake Welling, 69, is accused of stabbing and killing David Grauberger at the Speedway gas station at 2021 E. Main St. on May 25.

Welling was not present in the Cortez courtroom for his first hearing because he was being held in Mesa County Detention Facility.

22nd Judicial District Chief Judge Plewe set a date for return filing of charges and readdressing of bond on June 7 at 9 a.m. He also ordered that Welling be moved to Montezuma County Detention Center before his court date.

The stabbing took place May 25, 2023, near the Speedway gas station at Main and Cactus streets. Welling has said he acted in self-defense.

Welling also told police that he and Grauberger had gotten into a fight two nights before the stabbing after he had arrived via bus from Grand Junction. Welling did not tell police why the fight occurred.

On May 25, Welling approached Grauberger and asked “whether they still had a problem.” In response, Grauberger reportedly tried to push Welling’s cart of belongings off the curb, and attempted to punch him repeatedly.

According to the police report, Welling said he stabbed Grauberger in self-defense because he feared for his life.

Surveillance obtained by police showed Grauberger pushing Welling’s cart and attempting to punch him twice before he stepped back. As Grauberger stepped back, Welling pulled the knife from his right pocket and stabbed him.

After being stabbed, Grauberger went inside the Speedway station and collapsed. The knife severed a ventricle, and Grauberger died.

Welling was booked at the Montezuma County Detention Center the night of the stabbing with the charges of second-degree murder and fighting in public.