A Garfield County judge on Thursday denied a defense request to preserve firearm parts used in forensic testing, ruling the evidence was not critical to the case against John Worley, who is charged with first-degree murder in the 2021 killing of Wayne Moore.

Worley, 30, was arrested nearly three years after Moore was found shot to death in his vehicle along US Highway 6 west of Parachute. Moore, who lived in his car, was discovered bleeding and unresponsive. Investigators later identified Worley as the suspect through witness interviews, search warrants and physical evidence. He faces charges of first-degree murder, stalking, and tampering with evidence.

Thursday’s hearing before Judge Anne K. Norddin focused on whether borrowed firearm components — used by a state forensic expert to conduct test firings — should have been preserved for independent analysis by the defense.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation Firearm and Tool Mark Examiner Julie Knapp testified about her analysis of the firearm and the method she used to compare tool marks on the shell casings found at the scene.

“It is the visual comparative analysis of two tool marks, looking at the topographical features to see if there’s correspondence or lack of correspondence, to determine if they were made by a particular tool,” Knapp said. “Yes, a firearm is a multi-tool.”

Knapp explained that she analyzed only the Glock 22 slide provided as evidence. To conduct test firings, she borrowed a reference frame, barrel, and springs from the Montrose Police Department but returned them immediately after use.

“I had it for maybe a total of 10 minutes,” Knapp said. “I was able to get my test fires, and I was able to do the tumor comparison of the breach base and the firing pin.”

Defense attorney Alexander Haynes argued that these borrowed parts should have been preserved, as the condition of the main and recoil springs could have influenced how tool marks were left on the shell casings.

“A main spring can impact tool marks,” Haynes said. “It can impact what a slide does to a cartridge.”

Prosecuting attorney Eric Lund countered that the borrowed parts were not relevant because they were not from the actual weapon allegedly used in the crime. He said Knapp’s findings relied solely on the slide, which remains in evidence.

“The frame of the Glock that was used, that is being requested to be preserved by the defense, is not relevant and is not exculpatory,” Lund said. “I think we would be in a different position if we did have a suspect frame or some of these other parts.”

Judge Norddin ruled against the defense, stating that law enforcement is not required to retain all possible evidence unless its exculpatory value was apparent before it was returned.

“Glock parts, as I understand from Ms. Knapp, are interchangeable, so the defense could obtain a similar model Glock to do their own test firing,” Norddin said. “I also find that failing to preserve this handgun that was essentially on loan to CBI would not amount to a due process violation.”

Worley remains in custody on a $200,000 bond. His bond was originally set at $5 million when he was arrested in May 2024.

With the ruling in place, the case moves toward trial. A jury trial is set to begin Aug. 11, and is expected to last about two weeks. A pretrial motions hearing is scheduled for May 23.