A judge in Reno has scheduled pre-trial motions for this coming November for a Salvadoran man accused of killing four Nevadans this past January. 

The judge also tentatively set an April 2020 jury trial date for Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman.

Earlier, the judge denied a motion to dismiss two murder charges against Martinez-Guzman.

The defense had argued a Washoe County grand jury lacked authority to indict Martinez-Guzman for crimes outside the county.

But Washoe District Judge Connie Steinheimer ruled late Friday the panel had legal jurisdiction to return the 10-count indictment in March on all four murder charges as well as multiple counts of burglary and possession of a stolen firearm.

In a released statement, Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said, "(Douglas County) District Attorney Mark Jackson and I remain confident in our decision to prosecute these cases together. Our goal is to seek justice for the victims and ensure the integrity of the case at every step of the process."

The judge also denied a defense motion over the weekend that Martinez-Guzman's alleged confession to all four shootings was illegally presented to the grand jury.

John Arrascada, Washoe County's chief public defender, told the judge during a May 20 hearing the grand jury "exceeded its powers," a matter he said could be the subject of future of appeals. He said Martinez-Guzman should be tried for any alleged crimes in rural Douglas County south of Carson City.

"We could be back here in 20 years to address this issue of process. We need to start this case off properly," he said.

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks and Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson, who are co-prosecuting the case, said all district courts in Nevada enjoy statewide jurisdiction in cases involving criminal felonies.

Steinheimer agreed.

"The court declines to accept the defense argument that the Washoe County grand jury did not have jurisdiction to indict Mr. Guzman on the charges relating to events taking place in Douglas County," she wrote in the 12-page ruling late Friday.

The 20-year-old who is in the country illegally is accused of killing an elderly couple in Reno and two women south of Carson City during a 10-day rampage.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)