The preliminary hearing for two suspects accused of murdering Morgan Hill resident Cody Flores in 2015 was delayed until late this summer.
Spencer Smith and Chase Benoit—both 21-year-old Morgan Hill residents at the time of their arrest—will head back to court Sept. 19 so the judge can set a new preliminary hearing date, according to Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Pandori. The preliminary hearing—a common criminal court procedure in which a judge determines if there is enough evidence for the defendants to face trial—was originally scheduled for June 6, but was delayed.
Smith and Benoit are accused of stabbing Flores to death in a field in east Morgan Hill May 31, 2015, according to authorities. Both suspects were arrested shortly after Flores’ death, and have remained in custody on a murder charge since then.
The stabbing incident happened in an empty field near the intersection of Diana Avenue and Ringel Drive, according to police.
The suspects pleaded not guilty at a previous hearing.
The D.A.’s office and Sheriff’s investigators have revealed few details about the late-night stabbing incident and the suspects’ possible motive. The court file on the case, which is held at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, does not contain police reports or other narrative of the incident.
The file does include a judge’s order sealing police reports, witness information and other information related to the investigation from public view. A June 3, 2015 application by Sheriff’s Sgt. Julian Quinonez to deny defense attorneys’ request for witness information says, in part, “It is..my belief and experience that violent homicide suspects and their associates are known to intimidate, threaten and possibly harm witnesses. Additionally, the ongoing investigation may reveal additional crimes and witnesses.”
The Sept. 19 hearing will take place at the Hall of Justice.
