Suspect arrested in burning death of L.A. vagrant

[January 23, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A barber accused of killing a homeless man near his work last year by dousing him with a flammable liquid and setting him ablaze was arrested Thursday, police said.

Benjamin Martin, 30, was linked to the crime through witness identifications and DNA evidence collected at the scene, police said. His motive apparently was a "straight-up personal dislike and a little bit of crazy," Deputy Chief Charlie Beck said.

Martin was arrested in Rancho Mirage, about 120 miles east of Los Angeles. He is accused of killing 55-year-old John McGraham on Oct. 9 as the homeless man sat on a Los Angeles street corner.

Witnesses told police they saw a man chase McGraham, throw a liquid at him and flee. McGraham suffered burns on over 90 percent of his body and died at a hospital.

Police said McGraham's story aired on FOX's "America's Most Wanted," helping to generate "numerous tips and leads" and leading to Martin's arrest.

There was no phone listing for Martin in Rancho Mirage. Jason Lee, a Los Angeles police spokesman, said he did not know if Martin had an attorney.

Witnesses described McGraham as a fixture on the Los Angeles block who befriended neighbors and received regular visits from his family. The shopkeepers and residents who fed him and gave him spare change and clothing said he was a quiet, harmless man who liked to drink Dr Pepper and listen to a small portable radio.

Police Lt. Mark Tappan said Martin was a barber in the area where McGraham was attacked. Law enforcement officials told the Los Angeles Times that Martin held a grudge against the homeless. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Police said they don't think Martin is a gang member, but DNA taken when he was convicted for a drug offense linked him to the killing, the officials told the Times.

David McGraham, the victim's brother, said officers had promised him they would find the culprit, but "as time passed, I thought it wasn't going to happen. I just figured the killer got away with it."

Then his sister called with the news of Martin's arrest. "I thought, 'My God, I can't believe it. They got him,'" he said.

[Associated Press]

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