Hearing Delayed For Man Charged In 'Backpage Murders'

DETROIT (WWJ) - A hearing for a Sterling Heights man facing charges related to the deaths of four women dubbed the "Backpage Murders" has been adjourned.

Thursday's preliminary hearing for James Brown in Detroit's 36th District Court was reset for May 30 at the request of prosecutors.

Brown pleaded not guilty to charges of arson, mutilation of a dead body and disinternment in connection with the murders of four Detroit women, whose bodies were all found in abandoned cars in the city last December.  Police said three of the women had ties to ads for escort services on the website backpage.com.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee has said the 24-year-old is the "main culprit" in an investigation into the murders.

Police said they believe the women were killed elsewhere and their bodies were later dumped in Detroit.