Hearing set in Ceres girl's death

CERES -- A judge has scheduled an Aug. 6 preliminary hearing for a father accused of murdering his 14-year-old daughter more than three years before her remains were unearthed from a Ceres back yard.

Mark Edward Mesiti, 45, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 14-year-old daughter, Alycia Mesiti. He also faces 44 counts of sexually abusing his daughter.

The prosecutor has filed additional sex abuse charges against Mesiti involving two other girls.

At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, which is expected to last two weeks, the judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for Mesiti to stand trial.