Judge Denies Double-Initial Murder Suspect's Dismissal Request

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) -- A judge will not dismiss the case against alleged serial killer Joseph Naso, charged with the murders of four Northern California women with matching initials decades ago.

   The 77-year-old defendant filed a motion to dismiss the charges after he pleaded not guilty last month. Naso, who is serving as his own lawyer, argued that authorities failed to show probable cause to arrest him.

   The Marin Independent Journal reports that a judge on Monday disagreed and denied Naso's request, and set the preliminary hearing for Sept. 9.

   Prosecutors say Naso murdered four prostitutes in the 1970s and 1990s throughout Northern California.

   Investigators said Naso kept a list of 10 women and locations, including the four he is charged with killing. Prosecutors have not commented on the status of the other six.