A couple accused of killing a Tracy woman will have to wait until later this month to find out if they get to sit next to each other in court and visit each other in jail.

Domestic partners Robert Morgan, 39, and Jorge Morgan, 24, told San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Bernard Garber that an order to keep them separated compromised a fair defense.

A hearing set for today was canceled when a defense attorney said he didn’t think a prosecutor should argue against it. San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Valli Israels said it could be unsafe for the Morgans to sit by each other, especially considering that a judge was attacked earlier this year in her own courtroom. Israels planned to have jail and court security employees testify at the hearing.

The defendants asked that a neutral party help mediate. San Joaquin County Counsel will try to resolve the issue at 9 a.m. on Sept. 26, at a pre-preliminary hearing conference.

The Morgans were arrested hours after 58-year-old Cynthia Ramos was found stabbed to death in her trailer at Green Oaks Mobile Home Park, 2929 N. MacArthur Drive. The Morgans pleaded not guilty to charges of burglary, robbery and murder. Because they were convicted of at least two prior serious felonies, this case could earn them life in prison if convicted.

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