Grand Junction man to appear in 22nd Judicial District for Cortez stabbing – The Journal

Stabbings occurred at Speedway station last year

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 charge and bond hearing 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 Cortez's courtroom for his first hearing because he was being held in the Mesa County Detention Center.

22nd Judicial District Chief Judge Plewe set the date for return of charges and bail review for June 7 at 9 a.m. He also ordered that Welling be transferred to the Montezuma County Detention Center before his court date.

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

Welling also told police that he and Grauberger had fought two nights before the assault, after he arrived by bus from Grand Junction. Welling did not tell police why the fight occurred.

On May 25, Welling approached Grauberger and asked “if they still had a problem.” In response, Grauberger allegedly attempted to push the cart full of Welling's belongings off the sidewalk and attempted to punch him several times.

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 hit him twice before he backed away. As Grauberger backed away, Welling pulled the knife from his right pocket and stabbed him.

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

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

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