4 face murder charges in Southern California beating death

POMONA, Calif. (AP) — Four young men, including a fugitive, are facing capital murder charges in what prosecutors say was the brutal beating death of a man whose body was found dumped in a Southern California canyon.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also charged the men Thursday with robbery and kidnapping.

Sheriff’s investigators say the men beat 20-year-old Julian Hamori-Andrade on May 28 in unincorporated Azusa, dragged the unconscious victim to a pickup truck and drove him into Azusa Canyon where he was beaten again and dumped over the side of the road.

The complaint alleges uses of a metal chair and a rock, among other weapons.

The defendants range in age from 18 to 21. Each could face the death penalty, if convicted. Arraignments have been postponed to June 6.