Thermal murder suspect pleads not guilty
A man accused in the beating death of a Thermal resident whose body was found in the vicinity of a drainage channel near his mobile home pleaded not guilty today to a murder charge.
Saul Mayoral, 50, allegedly killed the victim with a bat, according to the criminal complaint, in which the victim is identified only as Hector Q.
A local resident discovered the victim’s body at 7:17 a.m. March 23 in the 87800 block of Avenue 52 and flagged down deputies, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Wallace Clear.
Mayoral, who lived in the vicinity of where the victim was found, was arrested later that evening and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Authorities have not said how they connected Mayoral to the slain man.
At the time of his arrest, Mayoral was on probation for battery committed against a custodial officer, according to court records.
Mayoral is slated to return to court April 11 for a felony settlement conference.
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Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
