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MONTICELLO — A Monument Valley man has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his brother.
In addition to the first-degree felony charge filed Tuesday in 7th District Court, Rodale Nelson is also charged with unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon and intoxication, both misdemeanors.
The body of Rojaer Nelson Sr., 32, was discovered about 6:15 a.m. on Oct. 30 near a car parked on the shoulder of state Road 163. He had three stab wounds to the abdomen and there was blood on the front of his clothing, according to charging documents.
While deputies were still conducting their investigation, "a local picked up a hitchhiker about 1 mile from the scene," the charges state. The driver stopped at the location where deputies were working and investigators said they identified the hitchhiker as Rodale Nelson.
"Rodale had blood on his hands and also a small cut," the charges state. "Rodale had scrapes on both knees."
Investigators said Nelson, 30, voluntarily told them the car alongside the road belonged to him and that he and his brother Rojaer had been fighting.
Search and rescue personnel helped deputies sweep the area outside the crime scene and a knife was found near the spot where Nelson was picked up by the passing motorist, the charges state. Nelson later said the knife belonged to him, according to investigators.
At the time Nelson was booked into jail, his breath-alcohol content was measured at .06, the charges state. He was also wearing an ankle monitor that was required as a condition of his release on bond in a pending felony case in Colorado, investigators said.
"Rodale violated the conditions of his bond," the charges state. "He is restricted from drinking alcohol. Rodale also admitted that he is a restricted person and isn't supposed to have a knife."
Utah court records show Rodale Nelson was extradited in August to Montezuma County, Colorado, where he is charged with felony menacing with a real or simulated weapon, vehicular eluding, DUI and other offenses. In Utah, Nelson has prior convictions for DUI and misdemeanor drug possession.
Nelson is being held without bail. His initial court appearance in the murder case is set for Nov. 16.
