ARCADIA — Officials postponed trial Wednesday for a former Pasadena school teacher accused of murdering his ex-wife’s boyfriend in Arcadia.
Brandon Landreth, 33, of Pasadena, is charged with the March 30, 2008, shooting death of 25-year-old Justo Cesar Morales at Morales’ parents home in the 2200 block of Canyon Road in Arcadia. He is a former John Muir High School English teacher.
Trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday in Pasadena Superior Court, however Landreth was ordered to return to court Nov. 29 for a pre-trial conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
A trial date has been set for Jan. 4, she added.
Investigators have said the motive in the shooting is believed to be jealousy over Morales’ relationship with Landreth’s ex-wife.
Landreth is accused of knocking on the front door of a home where Morales was, and opening fire on Morales as soon as he opened the door, authorities said.
He then allegedly fled the scene on a skateboard.
Citing an allegation that Landreth has made threats against another of his ex-wife’s boyfriends, a judge ordered Landreth to be held in lieu of $5 million bail early last year.
When police stopped Landreth while driving three days after Morales was shot, they allegedly found camping gear, extra clothing, $9,000 in cash and other items.
In a search of Morales’ home, investigators said they recovered a handgun, ammunition and a piece of paper with the name of another possible intended victim — a man who has also had a relationship with Landreth’s ex-wife.