Man Accused of Raping, Killing Murrieta Mom to Stand Trial

A judge ruled Friday that there is enough evidence to try a Hemet man for the killing of a young Murrieta woman whose body was discovered in an apartment fire.

Following testimony given over a two-day hearing at Southwest Justice Center, Judge Michael Rushton cited a great amount of circumstantial evidence against Marquise Denzell McGlown in the death of 23-year-old Shanae Christiana Wesley, The Press-Enterprise reported.

McGlown, 23, is charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder, arson of an inhabited structure and vehicle theft in Wesley's death that was discovered early Oct. 31, 2012 at Waterstone Apartments in Murrieta.

The single mother's 3-year-old son was rescued from the burning apartment.

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach is seeking the death penalty against McGlown, according to John Hall, spokesman for the DA's Office.

Hall said that at least nine witnesses provided testimony during the two-day hearing that began Thursday.

Rushton scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment in the case for Nov. 8.

McGlown, who is also charged with special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and killing during the commission of a burglary, remains held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.