Trial date set in 2009 killings of man, boy in Modesto

MODESTO -- A judge on Wednesday confirmed that a trial will start May 7 for two men accused of murder in the shooting deaths of a boy and a man three years ago at a home in Modesto's La Loma neighborhood.

Authorities have said Aaron Aguilera, 34, and Randy Sifuentez, 23, were the shooters in the July 28, 2009, deaths of Epifanio Ramirez Jr., 10, and Jason Cyphers, 29, in the 100 block of Santa Barbara Avenue.

The boy was hit by a stray bullet that went through a wall and struck him in the head.

Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Marie Silveira scheduled the defendants to return to court March 6 for a final assurance the trial is ready to start in May.

If convicted, Aguilera and Sifuentez each face a sentence of life in prison without parole.