Accused killer appears for preliminary hearing

The man accused of killing four Kansas City, Kansas men and one Montgomery County man appeared in court for his preliminary hearing Thursday.

The court found probable cause that Pablo Serrano-Vitorino committed a felony back in March.

He’s charged with the murder of Randy Nordman of New Florence, Missouri. Police believe he killed Nordman while on the run from authorities.

The prosecution called several witnesses who gave hours of testimony Thursday that included a forensic pathologist, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and investigators and a coroner.

The pathologist took the stand to explain what he had found during his autopsy of Nordman’s body following his death. He explained the path the bullet took through the body and established that he died from a gunshot wound to the chest. He also had bruises all over his body as well.

Investigators also discussed the crime scene, particularly the position they found Nordman’s body and places they discovered droplets of blood throughout the house that were not in the area Nordman was found.

Later in the hearing it was established that Serrano-Vitorino supplied his DNA in an attmept to see if the blood was his. The test did find that the blood was not Nordman’s blood and could have been Serrano-Vitorino’s.

Prosecution also submitted evidence for the hearing, including the rifle found with Serrano-Vitorino the night he was arrested and the ballistics report for the gun. It showed the gun fired a cartridge that was found near Nordman’s body.

Nordman’s daughter Tasha Lawson, niece and sister-in-law were in the courtroom Thursday, as well as Ruth Harter, the wife of one of the Kansas City murder victims. Her brother-in-law was also one of the Kansas City victims.

Serrano-Vitorino’s arraignment is scheduled for June 1. Montgomery County prosecutor Nathan Carroz said he will seek the death penalty.

He is being assisted by special prosecutor Kevin Zoellner from the attorney general’s office.