A Cathedral City resident accused of assaulting and seriously injuring a man, then leaving him to die inside a burning Desert Hot Springs home, was charged Friday with attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, torture and arson.
Miguel Espino, 25, was slated to make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon in Indio.
The blaze was reported around 7 p.m. Tuesday at a home in the 15600 block of Palm Drive. A “badly injured” man was found inside “suffering from traumatic injuries consistent with an assault with a deadly weapon,” according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.
The unidentified victim was hospitalized in critical condition.
Cal Fire arson investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set after the victim was assaulted, according to police, who said unspecified weapons “consistent with (the) victim’s injuries” were found inside the burned home.
Espino was arrested just before 2 a.m. Wednesday and was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on $1 million bail.
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