Hearing set for father and son

STATELINE - A hearing for a father and son charged in the rape and murder of 9-year-old Krystal Steadman is planned for today.

The hearing will decide scheduling for hearings for Thomas Soria Jr. and Thomas Soria Sr., and issues pertaining to legal questions, said Mark Jackson, attorney for Soria Jr.

A hearing to decide a motion to impose a gag order may also be addressed today, Jackson said. He filed the motion Monday, asking the court to place controls on statements made by witnesses out of court.

The father and son are charged with the South Lake Tahoe kidnapping, rape and murder of Krystal who was reported missing March 19. Her naked body was found a day later off Highway 50 West near Carson City.

Shortly after their arrests, the pair were charged with an additional count of sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl last October. The pair allegedly knew the girl from the neighborhood. Soria Sr. is charged with her sexual assault and his son with helping.

Both defendants are being held without bail.