A judge this week is set to decide whether a 25-year-old man accused of shooting his parents to death in their Del Rio home more than a year ago will face a jury on the murder charges.
After months of delays, a prosecutor said the weeklong hearing should begin Tuesday against Cameron Terhune, who was charged in the killings of Ken Terhune, 65, and Diane Terhune, 56.
Authorities allege Terhune shot his parents Jan. 13, 2009, two days before their bodies were found inside their Stewart Road home.
Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Ricardo Córdova will decide whether there is enough evidence for Terhune to stand trial in the double slaying.
The district attorney's office said in March that it would not seek the death penalty against Terhune.
Along with the murder charges, the criminal complaint alleges Terhune acted intentionally, deliberately and with premeditation. It also alleges Terhune used a firearm in the commission of the crime.
In a March jailhouse interview with The Bee, Terhune said he struggled with mental health problems, had daily headaches, problems with mood swings and took prescription medications to deal with the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Terhune is housed in the downtown jail on $2 million bail. He was arrested Jan. 16, 2009.
Testimony is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. at Stanislaus County Superior Court, 800 11th St., Modesto.
Bee staff writer Merrill Balassone can be reached at mbalassone@modbee.com or 578-2337.
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