Hearing delayed in Modesto murder-arson case

A judge on Thursday rescheduled a preliminary hearing to begin Dec. 12 for two men charged with murder, arson and burglary in the deaths of a Modesto couple found inside their burning home.

The hearing for defendants Brandon Pettit and Felix Valverde initially was scheduled to start Monday.

Authorities believe the defendants are responsible for the deaths of Pettit’s parents, Scott and Janet Pettit. They were found by firefighters in the bedroom of their home early on Aug. 8, 2013.

The hearing is expected to last five days. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, Stanislaus Superior Court Judge Dawna Reeves will decide whether there is enough evidence for the defendants to stand trial.

Prosecutors say the defendants committed the killings for financial gain. A criminal complaint indicates the Pettits were shot in their home. Investigators have said they believe the fire at the Divan Court home was started to cover up the killings and have confirmed that the victims were dead before the fire started.

The defendants have remained in custody since their arrest eight days after the fire.

This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Hearing delayed in Modesto murder-arson case."