Mar 20, 2007 2:48 pm US/Pacific
Peninsula Man Charged In Sons' Deaths Delays Plea
REDWOOD CITY (BCN) ―
Plea entry for a Half Moon Bay man accused of the 2004 arson-related deaths of his two young children was postponed a second time Tuesday in San Mateo County Superior Court.
The newly appointed defense attorney for Charles Schuttloffel Sr., 36, was in trial in a separate case and had not had time to look at evidence, and Judge John Grandsaert agreed to delay Schuttloffel's plea entry until April 3 at 8:45 a.m.
Schuttloffel was arrested by San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies on March 12 after being indicted by a criminal grand jury on one count of arson and two counts of murder in connection with a May 4, 2004 fire that destroyed his home, located in a remote area on Seaside School Road in San Gregorio.
The remains of Schuttloffel's two sons, Charles Edward "Charlie" Schuttloffel Jr., 3, and William Leonard "Billy" Schuttloffel, 2, were later found inside the home, the sheriff's office reported.
Schuttloffel's wife Lana, a schoolteacher who was not home when the fire took place, has said that her husband was not responsible for the crime.
Evidence in the grand jury indictment has not yet been released to the public.
According to San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, if found guilty, Schuttloffel could face up to life in prison, or the death penalty, should the district attorney's office choose to pursue this as a capital case.
He remains in custody on a no-bail status.
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