VIDALIA — A Natchez man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife and another man in April 2016 will go on trial Feb. 13 in Concordia Parish.

Curt Thornton, 35, pleaded not guilty in June to charges he killed his estranged wife, Angela Thornton, 36, and John Tibbs, 36, both of whom were killed at Angela Thornton’s 1649 Azalea Drive residence in Vidalia.

In Seventh Judicial District Judge John Reeves’ court Wednesday, Thornton’s attorney Darrel Hickman said he had a potential conflict in federal court on Feb. 13, but he would work to resolve the conflict today.

Seventh Judicial District Attorney Brad Burget said the Thornton case has been ongoing since April and was already delayed from an original trial date in the fall.

“The state wants to try this in February,” Burget said. “Two people lost their lives in April, and the people deserve a date in court.”

The state is seeking a life sentence.

Thornton is alleged to have shot his estranged wife and Tibbs with a .44-cal. revolver in the early morning hours of April 6, 2016, as Curt and Angela Thornton’s children were asleep in another room of the residence. One of the children reportedly discovered the bodies and called 911 later that morning.

Tibbs had been shot once, while Angela Thornton had been shot several times, investigators reported in April.

Investigators believe Curt Thornton made entry into the house that night by using a torch to cut through the back door.

Thornton reportedly fled on his motorcycle following the shootings, but was captured that same afternoon in Amite County. After being stopped for riding without a motorcycle helmet, he is alleged to have admitted to the shootings to the deputy who arrested him.

The Feb. 13 trial is set to begin at 9 a.m.