COURT DATE SET IN ALLEGED TRIES TO KILL MAN, 78.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Daily News Staff Writer

A 42-year-old woman is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 10 on charges of twice trying to murder her ailing stepgrandfather with tranquilizer overdoses.

Sindi Samantha Del Tour had been scheduled for arraignment Thursday on charges of trying to kill Harley Hartung, 78, of Simi Valley, but her public defender requested more time.

Del Tour remained in the county jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Law-enforcement officials say the motive appears to be financial gain. Records show the title to Hartung's home was transferred last summer to his court-appointed guardian, who lives in Ventura.

``He has no immediate blood relatives,'' Deputy District Attorney Audrey Rohn said. ``His wife died, and they had no kids. There are nieces and nephews around - not really locally, but they are in California.''

Del Tour was arrested Wednesday at her suburban Bakersfield home after police said she tried to overdose Hartung with a Valium-like tranquilizer when she stayed overnight at the victim's house and again two days later when he was a patient at Simi Valley Hospital.

Hartung was taken to the hospital by his live-in care provider and Del Tour after he became unresponsive and could not stand up. Police said hospital workers detected the drug, which had not been prescribed for him, in Hartung's system.

Hartung has recovered and is back home.