Mental state of accused child rapist at issue

MODESTO -- A judge on Tuesday scheduled a hearing April 29 to determine whether a man is mentally fit to stand trial. He is accused of beating a married couple and raping their 3-year-old daughter nearly 13 years ago in south Modesto.

A judge in May determined that Pedro Vicente Aguirre, 35, must stand trial on two counts of attempted murder, forcible aggravated sexual assault of a minor, kidnapping to commit rape, committing a forcible lewd act on a child younger than 14, burglary and child endangerment.

Authorities say Aguirre beat the 34-year-old father and the 26-year-old mother with a tire iron before grabbing the 3-year-old daughter and running away. Testimony in the preliminary hearing indicated that Aguirre sexually assaulted the girl in a nearby orchard before witnesses chased him.

After the attack, Aguirre hopped on a flight to Guadalajara, Mexico. Authorities did not see the defendant again until he was extradited and returned to Stanislaus County in 2011.

The defendant's trial date has not been scheduled. Aguirre remains in custody without bail.