Staff Report
WALSENBURG- After making his appearance on Monday, July 12, the man accused of attempted first degree murder was able to post a $10,500 bond but still must comply with a protection order that keeps him away from Elizabeth Mercier-Pino and Jason Mercier, the two victims in the case.
Pino has been charged with firing an AR-15 at the home of his father-in-law after a verbal confrontation with his wife, Elizabeth Mercier-Pino. Elizabeth Mercier-Pino and her brother Jason Mercier were in the house at the time. No injuries were reported.
Witnesses say Pino fired several shots at the house but investigators were able to recover fragments from only one bullet. The bullet was a .223 caliber round and is the size caliber used in an AR-15.
Pino served with the National Guard in Iraq and returned from his tour of duty this past April.
A preliminary hearing has been set for Aug. 5, at 1:30 in the Huerfano County Courthouse.
Editor’s note: There has been some local confusion over which John Pino is involved in this case. We wish to clarify that it is John Nathan Pino.
