CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- The man accused of dragging a woman to her death behind his vehicle was formally charged in Douglas County District Court Monday morning.

Jose Luis Rubi-Nava, 36, was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, two counts of forgery of a government-issued document and one count of possession of a forged instrument.

In a courtroom packed with spectators and journalists, Rubi-Nava sat quietly in a red jail jumpsuit, listening to the judge through an interpreter. He said little, speaking only to his public defender and Spanish interpreter.

Rubi-Nava's younger brother, Victor Rubi-Nava, was also in the courtroom and told reporters that his brother is a good man and not capable of such a horrific crime. Victor Rubi-Nava said that he has never even seen his older brother in a fight.

The Mexican Consul is involved in the process because Rubi-Nava is a Mexican National. The Mexican Consul General, Juan Marcos Gutierrez Gonzalez, said the victim's family is his highest priority. However, Gonzalez is also working with Douglas County prosecutors on the case against Rubi-Nava.

Rubi-Nava is accused of tying a tow rope around dragging death victim Luz Maria Franco Fierros' neck, and dragging her for more than a mile along Surrey Ridge Drive. She was alive when this occurred, the coroner said.

Her body was so bloody and badly mangled that the homeowner who found her lying on the street near his house didn't know if the victim had been a man or a woman. A photograph found near her body ultimately led to Rubi-Nava, who was pictured in the photo.

Gonzalez said even though Rubi-Nava is Mexican National, he can receive the death penalty.

"The difference that you may be referring (to) is like Gomez-Garcia. That is when they come with some conditions or some limitations because of the extradition process," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said Rubi-Nava's case does not come with any limitations because he was detained in the United States.

Meanwhile, officials announced that the state victim's compensation funds and the Mexican government will pay for the return of Fierros to Mexico. She was from the town of Chilpancingo, the capital of the state of Guerrero, and was the mother of four children.

The Colorado victim-compensation fund will pay although Franco Fierros was an illegal immigrant. Officials noted this money does not come from tax dollars but from payments by convicted criminals.

Fierros was in the U.S. to earn money to finish paying for a house in Mexico, the Rocky Mountain News reported in its Monday editions.

Donations in memory of Fierros can be made at any Wells Fargo bank. The money will be used to help her family keep their house in Mexico.

Franco Fierros was Rubi-Nava's girlfriend. Roommates said they had a very volatile relationship, but that Rubi-Nava was always the calm one.

Rubi-Nava's next court hearing is Sept. 28, 2006. His attorneys are expected to ask for a gag order in the case.

He is being held without bond.

If he is found guilty of first-degree murder, he faces the death penalty.