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By Adam Sanders

Cell phones. Texting. Digital images.

All of these tools of the teenage trade were referred to during the preliminary hearing Monday for 20-year-old Dustin Gran, who is accused of murdering 18-year-old Krista-Rae Pike on Jan. 14.

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Webmaster's note: A Web page featuring memories, video and poetry about 18-year-old Krista Pike can be found on www.MaderaTribuneRedLine.com

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Gran had admitted in an earlier statement to visiting the home of Thomas Hollier, Pike's fiance, the day Pike was murdered, according to police detective Hector Garibay, who testified Monday during the hearing to determine whether enough evidence exists to hold Gran over for trial. He said Gran claimed he was retrieving his Zaks security card that he left at the Hollier home a week before.

Pike lived at the Hollier home at the time. A note left by Pike on the bathroom mirror the day she died read simply that "Dustin" came by. Apparently, Garibay said, he came by again. And this time, Garibay said, Gran killed Pike.

"Though Pike's nails were broken," said Dr. Jerry Nelson, who assisted in the autopsy on Pike, "it appears that there was no sign of a struggle (by Pike)." Defense attorney John Garvin said the lack of defensive wounds on Gran showed he was not the one who killed Pike. Gran himself remained very quiet and still throughout the hearing.

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Adam Sanders Staff Writer The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.