Man found guilty of kidnapping, burning California woman to death over pound of pot

Man convicted of torching Calif. woman over drugs

MERCED, Calif. — One of four men accused of kidnapping and burning a California woman to death over a pound of pot has been found guilty of murder.

A Merced County jury found 27-year-old Luis Alberto Valencia guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder with special circumstances for torture, kidnapping and mayhem.

He was also convicted of felony kidnapping with an enhancement for using a firearm.

Prosecutors say in October 2007 Valencia and three other men bound, gagged and set Rosa Avina ablaze in an abandoned boat over $750 worth of drugs.

The Merced County woman walked nearly a mile before collapsing. She died in a burn unit in San Jose.

Valencia faces life in prison without parole. His attorney says he plans to appeal. The other three defendants are being tried separately.

Information from: Merced Sun-Star, www.mercedsun-star.com