Hearing Delayed in Case of Slain Oklahoma Girl

Associated Press

DURANT, Oklahoma -- A preliminary hearing for a Sherman, Texas, man accused of killing an 11-year-old Cartwright girl has been postponed.

According to court records, Wednesday's hearing to determine if 34-year-old Jason Belew should stand trial was delayed because his attorney, Matthew Haire, had a medical emergency. The next court date is set for Sept. 8.

Bryan County prosecutors have charged Belew with first-degree murder in the death of Dakota Hughes, who was found Oct. 18 at her aunt's home. The state medical examiner's office has said she was probably strangled.

Dakota Hughes' aunt, Debbie Hughes, told the investigators that she and Belew had been drinking together when she passed out. When she awoke, she found the child's body.