3 Charged in Minnesota Farmhouse Fire That Left Couple Dead

BALATON, Minn. (AP) - Three young men are charged in a farmhouse fire in southwestern Minnesota that killed a couple in their 70s.

The three defendants are from Lyon County - 20-year-old Derek Hexum of Balaton, 18-year-old Theodore Como of Marshall and 21-year-old Kyle Wesselink of Tyler. All three appeared in court Monday and remain jailed.

Reports say Hexum and Como were each charged with second-degree murder, arson and armed burglary. Wesselink was charged with arson, burglary and receiving stolen property.

The fire Thursday in Balaton killed 75-year-old Jim Hively and his 71-year-old wife, Cathy. The farmhouse was burglarized.

Public defenders will represent the three defendants. Como's attorney, Cecil Naatz (nahtz), tells reporters he hopes there will not be "a rush to justice" in the case.