Couple facing trial in son's death

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- A Las Vegas couple are to stand trial next year for second-degree murder in the death of their 4-year-old son left in a hot truck for 17 hours, authorities say.

The trial for Coleen and Stanley Rimer is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2010, unless a district court dismisses the charges at a hearing Jan. 6, The Las Vegas Sun reported Tuesday.

Jason Rimer, who had a muscle-wasting disease, died of heat exposure after being left in a sport utility vehicle in the family's driveway overnight on June 8, 2008, prosecutors said.

The Rimers also were charged with multiple counts of child abuse, neglect and endangerment after investigators allegedly found the Rimers' six other children living in a filthy and unsafe home.

The Rimers remain in custody and their children are being cared for by a relative, said Stanley Rimer's lawyer, Tim O'Brien, who plans to argue Stanley Rimer was ill when Jason was left in the car and Coleen Rimer, therefore, was in charge of the children.

"My client's position is that his wife made a terrible mistake. Whether it's criminal or not will be up to a jury," O'Brien said.