Weeks after allegedly dousing a Texas man with gasoline and setting him on fire, authorities have apprehended a second suspect in Brighton, 20 miles northeast of Denver.
Manuel Mendoza-Perales, 34, was arrested Monday and is awaiting extradition to Texas.
Police said that he was involved in the grisly slaying of 49-year-old Jesus Salgado who was beaten and burned to death in June.
A second suspect, Jose Mendez-Hernandez, was already charged with murder in the case last week. It is believed the three men were drinking beer on the night of the killing.
At some point during the party held at a shared trailer park, the victim slapped Mendoza-Hernandez’s face adding to his anger from a previous argument.
The two suspects beat Salgado before transporting him to an area hill where he was set ablaze. He was spotted by a bystander who extinguished the fire.
Salgado died days later after suffering severe burns to over 80 percent of his body.
