Three Kansas men police say are connected to the shooting of a Carbondale Police officer appeared in court yesterday.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 12 for Alex B. Karcher, Xavier L. McCray and Xavier E. Lewis.

The men are charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder. Authorities say they traveled here to kill three Jackson County men. Carbondale Police have said they may be connected to the shooting of a Carbondale officer on July 31, but they have not been charged with that crime.