2 Men Plead Not Guilty to Charges in Death of Elderly Couple

MARSHALL (AP) - Two men have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the shooting death of an elderly southwestern Minnesota couple whose home was burglarized and set ablaze.

20-year-old Derek Hexum of Balaton and 19-year-old Theodore Como of Marshall pleaded not guilty Tuesday. Hexum is charged with second-degree murder, arson and armed burglary, while Como's charges include aiding second-degree murder.

Criminal complaints say the two men burglarized Lyon County homes in April, including the Balaton home of 75-year-old Jim Hively and his 71-year-old wife, Cathy. Hexum is accused of shooting the couple, and complaints say he, Como and a third defendant returned the next day and set the home on fire.

A plea hearing for the third defendant is scheduled for Friday.