EL CAJON - A preliminary hearing for a convicted sex offender accused of killing a 24-year-old Santee woman, whose body has not been found, was rescheduled today to July 31.

Robert Steven Carson, 40, of Spring Valley, is charged with the murder of Brittany Hart, who was last seen three weeks ago.

Judge Patricia Cookson granted the delay for the preliminary hearing at the request of Deputy Public Defender Stacy Gulley, who said he just received Sheriff's Department reports on the case.

Prosecutor John Rice did not object to the postponement.

"There will be additional discovery in the form of tapes and CDs that (Gulley) is not yet in receipt of," Rice told the judge.

At Carson's was arraignment last week, the prosecutor said investigators found blood in the basement of his Marie Street home, that he and Hart made contact by cellular phone the day before she vanished, and that the defendant had a carpet-cleaning service to his home to remove blood.

Carson has five felony convictions, including one from 1986 for assault with intent to commit rape against three separate victims. He also has a case pending in South Bay for allegedly trying to evade officers in Coronado.

Carson was also convicted in 2003 of misdemeanor sexual battery.

Hart's family and volunteers searched for her body east of Alpine this morning, according to broadcast reports.

Anyone with more information about Hart or her dark gray truck, with a license plate number of 6M91555, is urged to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS.