The trials of three defendants charged with murdering two Krystal employees in 2011 are expected to start this spring.

Jordaan Creque, 22, Cassandra Eldred, 23, and Ezekiel Gholston, 22, are charged in the slayings of night manager Jeffrey Mark Graff and employee Jessie Aguilar.

The defendants will be tried separately. Creque will be on trial first.

Dates are not set, but Morgan County Circuit Court Judge Glenn Thompson said there is no delay on the court's part.

Creque's attorney, Jim Mason, said the defense must be extra careful because, "The death penalty is on the line." Gholston applied for a youthful offender status, because he was 20 at the time, but it was denied. His arraignment was continued last week to March 6 because of a death in the family of attorney Brian White.

According to police affidavits, Creque shot Graff and Aguilar, while Gholston stood watch and Eldred stayed behind the wheel of a getaway vehicle.

Police said Creque forced the victims into a walk-in freezer and shot them.

Creque and Eldred worked at Krystal, located on Sixth Avenue, at the time of the alleged murders.

Affidavits said Eldred was in a sexual relationship with Creque and was paid $200 to participate. An undisclosed amount allegedly was taken from the restaurant.

Ben Montgomery can be reached at 256-340-2445 or at ben@decaturdaily.com.