The preliminary hearing begins Thursday for the man charged with slaying an elderly couple who were shot to death July 10 in their east Lawrence home.

On July 18, Damien C. Lewis, 22, Lawrence, was charged with capital murder and several other offenses in the deaths of Pete Wallace and Wyona Chandlee, both 71.

The preliminary hearing begins at 9 a.m. in Douglas County District Court. If convicted, Lewis could face the death penalty.

The couple were found July 11 in their house at 1530 Learnard Ave., lying next to each other on the carpet in the living room, according to autopsy reports.

Chandlee suffered two gunshot wounds to the head, one in the right side of the face and one in the top of the head. Wallace was shot once in the right side of the face and once in the back of the head.