Preliminary hearing postponed for man accused of shooting wife

MODESTO -- A judge Tuesday postponed a preliminary hearing until Sept. 3 for a Modesto man accused of shooting to death his wife during an apparent domestic dispute about two years ago.

Mitchell Joseph Azevedo, 55, has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, 60-year-old Sharon Lorraine Azevedo.

The shooting occurred shortly before 5 p.m.on Aug. 21, 2011, at the couple's home in the 3300 block of Creek Bed Court in north Modesto.

The rescheduled preliminary hearing is estimated to last two days. The defendant remains in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail.