Trial scheduled in Modesto murder-arson case

A trial has been scheduled to start March 7 for a defendant accused of shooting a man who was found dead inside a burned west Modesto home four years ago.

Clinton Curtis Wilson is charged with murder and arson in the death of Guadalupe Mario Tubera. Nicole Marie Pappas faces the same charges in Tubera’s death, but she is being prosecuted separately and is scheduled to return to court Aug. 11 for a pretrial hearing. Both defendants remain in custody.

Authorities allege Wilson shot Tubera over stolen marijuana and a laptop computer. Wilson and Pappas are accused of starting a fire at the house to conceal the alleged crime.

The fire started sometime after 1 p.m. May 4, 2011, at the home in the 1700 block of John Street, three blocks south of Robertson Road. The house was vacant and being remodeled, and Wilson watched the property with the owner’s permission.

There has been some indication that prosecutors have discussed a possible plea deal with Pappas, but no resolution has been announced.

This story was originally published June 24, 2015 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Trial scheduled in Modesto murder-arson case."