OCEANSIDE — A trial date was set April 9 for the two teens accused of slaying an Oceanside police officer nearly 16 months ago.

Superior Court Judge Runston Maino ordered Meki Gaono, 19, and Penifoti “CJ” Taeotui, 18, back to court Aug. 18 for pretrial motions.

The defendants, who are both reputed gang members, are charged with the murder of Officer Dan Bessant, as well as with the attempted murder of an Oceanside police officer who initiated the stop and a witness who was with one of the officers at the scene.

Bessant, 26, was fatally shot on the evening of Dec. 20, 2006, after he responded to assist another officer on a traffic stop at Gold Drive and Arthur Avenue near the back gate area of Camp Pendleton.

At a preliminary hearing last month, a third defendant, Jose Compre, 17, had the charges against him dropped due to a lack of evidence proving that he was in front of his residence at 622 Arthur Avenue when the shooting occurred.

The investigation against Compre is still pending, according to the District Attorney’s office.

If convicted, the prosecution won’t be able to seek the death penalty since Gaono and Taeotui were both underage at the time of killing.

Both men remain in custody on $5 million bail.