The trial for a Yucca Valley man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 2011 by setting her on fire started yesterday in a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom. Hector Meza, 43, is accused of setting Maria Banuelos, 34, on fire October 22, 2011, at her apartment complex in Ontario. Banuelos died two days later of her burns. Meza was arrested during a traffic stop in Perris a few hours after Banuelos was set on fire. Hector Meza is on trial for murder, torture, arson causing great bodily injury, and aggravated mayhem. The district attorney’s office announced during an earlier preliminary hearing that the state is not seeking the death penalty for Meza. Hector Meza is being held at the West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $10 million.
