A couple accused in a deadly crime spree through the Northwest pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of aggravated murder.

David "Joey" Pedersen and Holly Grigsby wore orange jail uniforms during their separate appearances at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, about 30 miles north of Seattle. Several family members attended the hearing, holding hands as they entered the courtroom.

The couple is charged in the deaths of Pedersen's father, David "Red" Pedersen, and his wife, Leslie Pedersen, in Everett around Sept. 26.

In interviews with a reporter and police, the couple said they killed Pedersen's father because he molested two young relatives. They also said they killed his wife because she knew about the abuse and still supported him.

Everett police have emphasized that investigators haven't confirmed the defendants' story. However, Snohomish County Deputy Prosecutor Craig Matheson wrote in a probable cause statement that Grigsby confessed during a five-hour, videotaped interview with Oregon state police.

A judge on Wednesday set trial for Dec. 2, although that is likely to be postponed. The prosecutor has until Nov. 14 to decide whether to seek the death penalty, although that date also could be extended.