A member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado went on trial on Monday for the murder of a fellow tribal member.

Charleston "Chuck" Lang, 40, is charged with second-degree murder and a firearm violation. He is accused of stabbing Felix "Phil" Hammond 21 times with a bayonet.

A government attorney called Lang a ruthless killer who watched Hammond die rather than call for help. But the defense said Lang acted in self-defense because Hammond showed up to his house intoxicated and attempted to sexually assault Lang's girlfriend.

The incident took place July 30, 2005, on the reservation.

Get the Story:
Towaoc murder trial begins (The Cortez Journal 1/9)
Trial begins in bayonet-stabbing case (The Durango Herald 1/)

Relevant Links:
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - http://www.utemountainute.com

Related Stories:
Arrest made in Ute Mountain Ute Reservation murder (06/28)