Pre-Trial Hearing Delayed in El Reno Killings

A pre-trial hearing for an El Reno man accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend and her four children has been delayed.

Wednesday, February 25th 2009, 8:23 am

By: News 9

Associated Press

EL RENO, Oklahoma -- A pre-trial hearing for an El Reno man accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend and her four children has been delayed.

The hearing for 25-year-old Joshua Durcho was scheduled to begin Wednesday in Canadian County, but prosecutor Paul Hesse says he expects a judge to set a new date for the hearing. Hesse says no date has been set yet for a preliminary hearing for Durcho, who is being held without bail in the Canadian County Jail.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Durcho. He faces five counts of first-degree murder for the Jan. 12 killings of 25-year-old Summer Garas; 7-year-old Kirsten Rust; 6-year-old Autumn Rust; 4-year-old Teagin Rust and 3-year-old Evynn Garas.

All five were found dead in Summer Garas' El Reno apartment.

A message left with Durcho's attorney was not immediately returned.