Man to Stand Trial for Body Found in Burning SUV

One of two 18-year-old men accused in the killing of a Long Beach man, whose body was found inside an SUV that had been set on fire in Rancho Palos Verdes, was ordered Monday to stand trial on murder and arson charges.

Adrian Berumen was 17 at the time of the killing but is being prosecuted as an adult.

Co-defendant Jose Angel Martinez is also charged with one count each of murder and arson in the death of Christopher Waters, 42.

A preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for Martinez to stand trial is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Waters' body was found in the flaming vehicle on the property of a home at 30100 Miraleste Drive on the afternoon of April 23. The victim's feet were bound and a cord was wrapped around his neck, according to sheriff's Deputy Guillermina Saldana.

Berumen walked into the Long Beach Police Department headquarters four days later and asked to talk to homicide detectives, according to the sheriff's department.

Investigators determined that Waters was killed in Long Beach and his body was driven to Rancho Palos Verdes, where the SUV was set on fire.

Berumen is due back in court on Dec. 30.

—City News Service.

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