The story of how a family affair in a Fresno hotel allegedly led to the murder of a sister and a nationwide manhunt for kidnappers in a crime that could carry the death penalty was discussed Wednesday in court.

Lebec murder suspect Joshua Aaron Robertson, 28, was in San Fernando due to his alleged involvement in the 2016 murder of his sister-in-law, 26-year-old Kimberly Harvill, and the kidnapping of her three children.

“(Robertson’s preliminary hearing) started today,” said Greg Risling, spokesman for the District Attorney’s Office. “(The hearing) will resume (Thursday).”

During the preliminary hearing, the evidence of the case is presented to a judge who decides if there’s enough to merit a trial.

Related: Lebec Murder, Kidnapping Suspect Returns To Court

Detectives believe Robertson; his wife, Brittney Sue Humphrey, 23; Alex Valdez, 29; and Harvill were in a Fresno hotel August 12, 2016, when Harvill witnessed a shooting.

“Everyone in this case was involved in that Fresno shooting, and Harvill was the witness,” said Detective Scott Matlock of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Detectives didn’t disclose to KHTS News the details regarding the Fresno incident. However, law enforcement officials believe Harvill was killed by Valdez and Robertson for witnessing the shooting. Her body was found two days later on the side of the road in Lebec.

Robertson and Humphrey then fled California with Harvill’s three children, as well as Robertson’s daughter, according to detectives.

Robertson and Humphrey were arrested following a nationwide manhunt. Humphrey later made a plea in open court — meaning without a pre-arranged plea deal — and accepted a term of 13 years for her role in the murder of Harvill, her half-sister.

Related: Lebec Kidnapping Suspect Sentenced For Taking Children

Along with the husband and wife, Valdez was arrested in March of this year on suspicion of connection to the case, according to Matlock.

After discovering Harvill’s body abandoned in a remote area of Lebec, investigators began reaching out to authorities across the country, eventually tracking their primary suspects across state lines.

“The (three) children were later found abandoned in New Mexico at a motel. Humphrey and Robertson were arrested later in Colorado,” said a Los Angeles County District Attorney’s news release.

Police found a missing then 18-month-old baby, Madisyn Harper, with Humphrey. Robertson was found two blocks away, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department news release.

Both male suspects have been charged with murder and kidnapping. Robertson was additionally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

“They also face a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, making them eligible for the death penalty,” said a D.A.’s Office news release.

Valdez appeared in court on Monday, and received a continuation of his pretrial scheduled for November 13. The tentative trial date for Valdez is set for March 1, 2018, according to officials from the D.A. office.

As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!