This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A man accused of shooting and killing three people at his Salt Lake City home in September has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Alexander Hung Tran, 32, is charged in 3rd District Court with three counts of aggravated murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.

On Monday, Tran waived his right to a hearing where prosecutors must present evidence to show probable cause that a defendant has committed the charged crimes.

A scheduling hearing is set for July 18.

On Sept. 18, Tran allegedly shot and killed Heidi Poike, 50, her 2-month-old granddaughter, Lyrik Poike, and 28-year-old Dakota Smith. The three were tenants of Tran's home on the 600 North block of Sir Phillip Drive (1990 West).

The deaths came to light after Poike did not arrive to pick up her grandson from school.

When police went to the boy's house, an officer saw a body under a tarp through the living room window, according to charging documents.

Officers entered through an open back door and located Tran in the basement. He allegedly told officers, "I'm putting down the gun," and was arrested.

Prosecutors say Tran acknowledged the shootings, but that he tried to say his mother was at fault because she owns the house and had asked for the tenants to leave.

Prosecutors say Tran's mother knew nothing of the slayings until later.

Tran was diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic after being admitted on June 7 to the University Neuropsychiatric Institute, where he stayed for one month and was prescribed several medications, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Tran is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail in lieu of $3 million cash-only bail.