A man charged in the killing of his 79-year-old landlady in 2010 appeared in court Wednesday for a pretrial hearing.

Vasily Babichev is accused of beating and stabbing Vera Zadnepryanets to death in her Southside home. Both are of Russian descent.

Babichev was the one who called police, and was eventually arrested.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Babichev.

The public defender's office may have to go to Russia to talk to Babichev's family so the defense can prepare for a possible penalty phase.