Hearing postponed in Modesto murder, arson case

A judge on Thursday has rescheduled a preliminary hearing to begin July 18 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 March 23.

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

Prosecutors allege that the defendants committed the murders for financial gain. A filed criminal complaint indicates that 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 murders 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 house fire.

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.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Hearing postponed in Modesto murder, arson case."