Accused Drugmaking Couple Nears Plea Deal

A Livermore couple charged in a fatal apartment explosion due to illegal drug activity may be close to a plea deal, according to a Valley Times report.

Further details in the Times' report:

Evan Avilés and Lexie Hutson were scheduled Tuesday to change their not guilty pleas on second degree murder charges and to plead guilty, respectively, to involuntary manslaughter and accessory after the fact charges.

Attorney Mario Andrew, who is representing Avilés, told the Times' that Alameda County Superior Court Judge Christine Moruza declined to accept the deal without prior approval of Judge Stuart Hing, who will sentence the pair.

Avilés, 22, and Hutson, 23, were .

Officials said the illegal drug activity — reported May 21, 2011 — at Aviles' residence on Silver Oaks Way led to an apartment explosion, which critically injured Aviles, Hutson and .

Police said Lom, 35, was also involved in the dangerous drug activity. He succumbed to his wounds five days later.

View the full article on the Valley Times website.