Plea Delayed for Two Men Accused of Cypress Avenue Homicide

The two men accused of killing 23-year-old Christopher Chastain last week after an alleged argument went horrifically wrong delayed entering a plea today.

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge John Grandsaert ordered Nicholas Vargas, 24, of San Bruno and Brandon Thompson, 26, of San Mateo back to court on May 2 after the attorneys representing both men requested that the arraignment be postponed and so that Vargas could finalize efforts to secure his attorney.

According to the district attorney’s office, Vargas, Thompson and Chastain were at Vargas’s parents’ home on Cypress Avenue on April 10 when an argument happened. Some time after that, Vargas, whom family members said knew Chastain since they were kids, struck Chastain with a pipe wrench and Thompson stabbed him with the knife.

The two assailants then reportedly dragged Chastain outside of the house and tried to put him in the trunk of Vargas’s car, which was parked in the driveway, leaving a trail of blood along the way. However, Chastain’s 6-foot-5 frame was too heavy for them, so they left him on the ground, according to the district attorney’s office.

Police arrested Vargas shortly afterward and caught Thompson, who had fled the scene and was on parole, the next day. The homicide was the city's first of the year.

Vargas and Thompson, who appeared in court today shackled and wearing orange jumpsuits, are being held in San Mateo County Jail without bail.

Chastain leaves behind a 3-year-old son.