Hearing set in 2008 homicide case

MODESTO -- A judge has scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 28 for a man accused of murder in an attack nearly five years ago in Modesto's airport neighborhood. Maurilio Vasquez, 26, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Vasquez is suspected of shooting to death 51-year-old Clarence "Buddy" Mason on April 29, 2008. Detectives believe Vasquez rode up on a bicycle and shot Mason and a friend as they were walking Mason's dog about 2:30 a.m. near Kerr and Larkin avenues. Mason was shot in the back and pronounced dead at the scene, and his friend suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Vasquez was captured and booked a year ago at the Stanislaus County Jail, where he remains in custody.