Hearing began for 2 men accused in a Southeast Fresno murder

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A homicide detective describes confronting a murder suspect after a deadly shooting. The preliminary hearing began Tuesday for two men accused of a Southeast Fresno murder in late 2014. But, officers believe one of the alleged attackers was also killed during the crime.

Telling text messages and a white cowboy hat left at the crime scene were some of the clues that led Fresno homicide detective Adrian Alvarez to believe Gustavo Duenas and Jorge Rodriguez were responsible for killing a man they never knew-- Calvin Reese.

Investigators talked to one couple who recalled the deadly encounter.

"He said, as he met there at that intersection, he believed that initially they knew each other because they spoke briefly. To him, it appeared they were hugging. Then he immediately saw flashes of light and heard gunshots," said Alvarez.

Fresno Police said the other man who died was Duenas' father, Jose. Investigators said Jose appeared to be taking part in the attack before he was mistakenly shot.

Detectives also uncovered text messages on Duenas' cell phone sent hours before the murder that gave them valuable clues.

"He is talking to his friends about his brother and Smoky Jorge and they are trying to decide on what type of robbery they were going to commit that day," said Alvarez.

The officer described one witnesses account after the shooting and one of the suspects allegedly spitting and kicking Reese after he was shot.

Lying next to the victim was also a white cowboy hat that several described the other dead man, Jose, as wearing before he was shot

The defense attorney representing Duenas also pointed out that one hour before murder he called police to his house over a domestic disturbance between his parents.

The suspects taped interviews will be played Wednesday.