Arrest in that case of homeless man burned to death in Oct 2008

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11530222

Barber arrested for fatal burning of homeless man
The Associated Press
Posted: 01/22/2009 03:49:45 PM PST

LOS ANGELES—A barber was arrested Thursday for allegedly killing a homeless man near his work by dousing him with a flammable liquid and setting him ablaze on a street corner last year, police said.

Benjamin Martin, 30, was linked to the crime through witness identifications and DNA evidence collected at the scene, police said. His motivation apparently was a "straight-up personal dislike and a little bit of crazy," Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Charlie Beck said.

Martin was arrested in the Riverside County community of Rancho Mirage, about 120 miles east of Los Angeles. He is accused of killing 55-year-old John McGraham on Oct. 9 as the homeless man sat at his usual spot at Third Street and Vermont Avenue in a densely populated neighborhood just west of downtown Los Angeles.

Witnesses said they saw a man chase McGraham, throw what was probably gasoline on him and flee. Residents rushed to extinguish the flames but McGraham suffered burns over 90 percent of his body and died.

Police said McGraham's story aired on ABC's "America's Most Wanted," helping to generate numerous tips that led to Martin's arrest.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11530222

[applegrove]

1. Good. I hope he gets life.

[acmavm]

2. I want him to experience the pain of burning. Let him know what he did.

This act was absolutely depraved.

[ZombieHorde]

3. "I want him to experience the pain of burning." Why would you want that?

This act was absolutely depraved.

I agree.

[applegrove]

I wouldn't want any prisoner tortured. Just lock him up and throw away the key.

[Uzybone]

4. Thats good news

the story made me sick to my stomach. Hope Mr Martin spends the rest of his miserable life deep in a cell to contemplate his deeds.

[varelse]

5. This is first degree murder

I hope he is locked up for life. What a horrible thing to do.

[Jkid]

6. I remember this case.

It was shown on America's Most Wanted. The victim even though he was homeless, was a part of the community.

[Ocracoker16]

7. he belongs in jail for life

[arcadian]

8. An unrelated question.

"Riverside County community of Rancho Mirage, about 120 miles east of Los Angeles"

Is that considered part of LA greater area?

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. Yeah, sort of. Riverside country, LA country, Orange County, San Bernadino are areas

included when one speaks of the greater LA area. A lot of folks who work in LA live in these bedroom communities.