MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Oklahoma News

April 9, 2009

Suspect waives prelim in strangulations

EL RENO, Okla. (AP) — An El Reno man accused in the strangulation deaths of his girlfriend and her four children has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.



Canadian County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hesse said 26-year-old Joshua Durcho appeared in court Thursday and agreed to skip the preliminary hearing. Such hearings are held to determine whether there is adequate evidence to warrant a trial.



Hesse said Durcho is to be arraigned on May 19 and will formally enter a plea then.



Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.



The ex-convict is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the January deaths of 25-year-old Summer Rust and her four young children.

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