A Yucca Valley man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 2011 by setting her on fire will face life without parole, and not the death penalty, if he is convicted at trial. Last week, Deputy District Attorney Kent Williams announced at a preliminary hearing for Hector Meza, 41, that the state will no longer seek the death penalty for Meza and his four co-defendants. Meza 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 being held at the West Valley Detention Center on charges of murder, torture, arson, and aggravated mayhem, with his bail set at $10 million. Meza’s next appearance in court will be August 15.
YUCCA VALLEY MAN FACES LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE IN FATAL BURNING OF EX-GIRLFRIEND
