SPOKANE -- A brother and sister accused of a Spokane County murder pleaded not guilty on Thursday. Justice and Breeana Sims smiled through their arraignment. Both of them are accused of torturing and killing a 22-year-old Cheney man.
Justice and Breeana Simshave been charged with pre-meditated murder in the first degree with aggravated circumstances, along with several other serious charges. Investigators said Justice and Breeana were involved in the stabbing and torturing of Nicholas Thoreson. Thoreson was then shot to death.
Investigators said the suspects burned Thoreson's body in the trunk of his own vehicle. Police have a mounting case against the two suspects including witness testimony and fingerprints. Court documents also show the suspects admitted the murder to friends several times.
Taylor Wolf, the third suspect in the homicide, was even taped during a phone conversation from jail. All three of the suspects have pleaded not guilty.
The trial is scheduled for July 11.
