The man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend and confessing the crimes to friends and family will see trial, an El Paso County judge ruled Tuesday.

Kevin Wells, 37, is accused of killing 34-year-old Lisa West on May 13 at the Mountain Shadows Apartments on Fontmore Road. Officers discovered West’s body while responding to a call from Wells, who indicated someone was trying to break into his apartment and that he was not home, but his girlfriend was inside.

Wells is facing a first-degree murder charge for West’s death.

18-year-old accused of fleeing from Colorado Springs police, striking vehicle

The prosecution called four witnesses to the stand Tuesday as part of Wells’ preliminary hearing to determine if he would see trial. Wells’ defense counsel argued to delay the hearing, claiming they recently obtained new discovery and needed time to review it. Judge Amanda Philipps denied the request.

Colorado Springs police officer Tyler Bresson was one of the responding officers to the burglary call. His testimony largely centered around first impressions of the scene and phone calls he had with Wells.

According to Bresson, the outside of the apartment did not appear suspicious, but a gruesome discovery awaited him on the other side of the door. Upon entering, Bresson located West’s body with a single bullet hole between her eyes. Photographs of the scene were shown to the courtroom, in which West’s body was illuminated by the slim slivers of light coming through the closed blinds.

Early into the investigation, Bresson made contact with Wells to go over his 911 call and Wells gave no indication officers were about to walk into an alleged murder scene, Bresson testified. During the phone call, which was played in court, Wells mumbles and stumbles over his words.

Wells allegedly confessed to the murder to multiple people, including his father and employer, Wells’ arrest affidavit said. Wells’ father, who was briefly present in the courtroom Tuesday, encouraged his son to turn himself in.

Man arrested, woman identified in fatal shooting Tuesday in west Colorado Springs

The prosecution then called Colorado Springs detective Ashton Lofgreen with the homicide unit to the stand. Lofgreen testified to what law enforcement uncovered through search warrants granted on the day of the alleged homicide.

According to Lofgreen, Wells was the only resident on the lease for the apartment. West had previously applied to be a roommate, but was denied. Wells was also the only resident listed as paying utilities for the unit.

When officers searched Wells’ apartment they discovered multiple bullet casings, an empty handgun safe and a shattered sliding glass door.

During cross-examination, Lofgreen testified to the autopsy results for West, which revealed several substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, were found in her body.

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Mathew Tillman testified he assisted in locating Wells’ vehicle after the agency asked troopers to be on the lookout. Wells initially told Bresson he was heading to Denver, but later corrected himself that he was in Monument. Cellphone tracking placed Wells heading south, where he was eventually arrested.

Former Colorado Springs elementary teacher accused of sexual assault, additional victims sought

Wells was taken into custody about 60 miles away from his residence in Colorado City, Tillman testified. According to the trooper, Wells was compliant during his arrest.

The final witness of the day was lead detective Shelby Johnson with the department’s homicide unit. Johnson went over the background of Wells’ and West’s relationship. Text messages from West to a friend on the day of her death indicated West wanted to leave Wells due to abuse.

“I wish I could leave, but I literally have nowhere to go and no money,” one text sent by West stated.

During cross-examination, Johnson revealed that another witness at the scene told detectives they saw a “suspicious person” in the apartment complex the morning of West’s death.

The defense asked Philipps not to bind over charges, arguing the prosecution did not prove the “premeditation” requirement for first-degree murder. Philipps explained she had to make her ruling by seeing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution.

Wells, who appeared in custody, sat with his head down for the majority of the hearing, shaking his head at times as he listened to the alleged details of his girlfriend’s death. Wells’ friends and family members were present in the courtroom, but were asked to leave before testimony due to the possibility they would be called as witnesses.

Wells remains in El Paso County jail on a no-bond hold, booking records show. His next appearance in the 4th Judicial District is Aug. 21, for an arraignment and bond hearing.

While Philipps bound over the first-degree murder charge for trial, she acknowledged the prosecution did not meet its burden to the point of validating Wells’ no-bond hold.