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Man scheduled to go to court years after being charged with first-degree murder, arson

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TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — The clerk’s office in Alexander County confirmed that Areli Aguirre-Avilez is scheduled to go to court this week.

He’s charged with five counts of first-degree murder and first-degree arson in the deaths of three adults and two children.

Aguirre-Avilez has been in jail since June of 2019, more than seven years since the murders took place north of Taylorsville.

A trial date has yet to be set in the case. One issue is that Aguirre-Avilez has changed attorneys several times since his arrest.

Heidi Wolfe is also charged in the case. Police say Aguirre-Avilez was dating Wolfe, who was underage at the time of the murders.

Court documents show that Wolfe confessed to the murders, but later recanted that confession. She was released from jail last year after her bond was reduced to $20,000.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.

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