David J. Quiroz, the Hollister man accused in the killing of 25-year-old Heather Carroll in October 2012, is scheduled for a jury trial in January.
Quiroz, 33 at the time of the slaying, is suspected of killing the young mother at a local residence.
His trial is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 13 in room 201 at the San Benito County Courthouse. He has a trial confirmation set for Dec. 26 as well.
Carroll went missing Oct. 10 after dropping off her 5-year-old boy at Ladd Lane Elementary School. Two days later, police held a standoff with Quiroz at his home on Cerra Vista Drive before he surrendered and took them to Carroll’s body on the property.
Quiroz, who has pleaded not guilty to the crime, is facing charges alleging homicide and kidnapping for ransom. He is represented by public defender Gregory LaForge, who has challenged the admission given by Quiroz at the scene where authorities found the body.
Quiroz told investigators shortly after his arrest that he had started an argument between the two. Authorities had Quiroz in custody at about 3 a.m. after the overnight standoff. Police allege that Quiroz admitted to the killing and took authorities to her body, recovered at about 5:30 a.m.
Carroll is originally from Washington. In 2011, she moved to Hollister with her husband and son.
