Prosecutors to Retry Suspect in Fatal Beating

Prosecutors said Wednesday they will retry 22-year-old Ramiro Salgado on murder charges in the September 1999 slaying of a Ventura man beaten by gang members outside his apartment.

A judge declared a mistrial earlier this month after jurors were unable to decide whether Salgado was guilty of second-degree murder for allegedly kicking and beating 18-year-old William Zara.

Salgado’s lawyer has filed a motion to dismiss the case. A hearing is set for June.

Zara died after being beaten and stabbed by gang members who mistakenly thought he had reported their loud party to police. Four other suspects were convicted of murder last year and are serving life sentences.