Court Hearing for Suspect in Flynn Murder Continued to Oct. 2

A court hearing for the man accused of murdering Menifee resident Darlene Flynn was continued today until Oct. 2 in Riverside Superior Court.

Justin Charles Smith, entered a not guilty plea Aug. 8 in his arraignment on charges that he murdered his former girlfriend July 22 at her Menifee home. Flynn was found dead in her backyard pool and police arrested Smith as he ran away from the residence.

According to court records, Flynn was beaten with a baseball bat.

Smith continues to remain in custody on $1 million bail. The Oct. 2 hearing will be a felony settlement conference. According to John Hall of the Riverside District Attorney's office, a defendant in such cases has the option of changing his plea at any time during this part of the court process.