The two Lebec murder suspects are one step closer to trial after one was arraigned in the San Fernando Courthouse last week.

Joshua Robertson, 27, is set to move onto pretrial on Dec. 5 after being accused of taking part in a woman’s murder and kidnapping her children. That kidnapping resulted in a nationwide manhunt, according to officials with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.

The other murder suspect awaiting trial, Alex Valdez, 29, has a tentative trial date set for March 1 of next year, according to Ricardo Santiago, a spokesperson for the D.A’s Office. He will face a jury of 12.

Robertson is suspected to have shot and killed Kimberly Harvill and kidnapped her three children with help from his wife — Harvill’s step-sister — Brittney Sue Humphrey, and Valdez.

Harvill’s body was found on a secluded road in Lebec with a gunshot wound to the head on Aug. 14, 2016.

Investigators found Harvill’s children in Albuquerque, New Mexico and suspects Robertson and Humphrey in Colorado a day later.

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

Ultimately, Humphrey pleaded no contest to the kidnapping counts at an arraignment hearing July 18. She was given a 15-year sentence as part of an open plea, meaning there was no plea deal in place, according to the D.A.’s office.

Valdez was arrested in March of this year on suspicion of connection to the case, according to Detective Scott Matlock of the county’s Homicide Bureau. Detectives have not commented on his role in the murder.

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