Court Readies for San Bruno Murder Case

The two men accused of brutally killing a 23-year-old father almost two years ago are nearly ready to stand trial. 

The San Mateo County Superior Court is making its final preparations for the trial, which is set to begin on April 15.

On the night of April 10, 2011, Brandon David Thompson, 28, and Nicholas Jose Vargas, 25, allegedly beat the victim with a pipe and stabbed him to death following an argument in the home of Vargas's parents. 

According to San Mateo County District Attorney's Office notes, they then dragged the body outside and attempted to put it into the trunk of a car. Because the body weighed 300 pounds, they gave up and Thompson ran from the scene.

Vargas then went back inside, awoke his sleeping father, and they called the police. 

Thompson was on parole at the time for a 2009 car theft near South San Francisco. 

Both suspects entered not guilty pleas in 2012, Vargas claiming insanity. But in December, two doctors submitted reports on Vargas's health, which were presented to the court early this week. According to the DA's Office notes, "the court found defendant Vargas competent to stand trial."

Both Thompson and Vargas remain in jail without bail.