Riverside, CA: Torture, murder charges in Calif. killing

RIVERSIDE, CA: A California man is facing torture and murder charges for allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend in the back and then setting her on fire, authorities said.

Tyrone Harts, 38, of Riverside, who appeared in court Wednesday, could face the death penalty if prosecutors decide to pursue capital punishment in a trial, the (Riverside, Calif.) Press-Enterprise reported.

Harts, the subject of an arrest warrant, turned himself in to Los Angeles police Monday.

He has been charged in the death of Brandi Morales-Rael, 34, killed Feb. 22 in her home in front of her six children.

The torture charge was filed because after Morales-Rael was shot, Harts allegedly set her on fire while she was still alive, prosecutors said.

Her four youngest children, ages 6-11, tried to put out the fire.

In court Wednesday a public defender was appointed for Harts, who did not enter a plea.

Morales-Rael's mother Cindy Rael attended the brief hearing.

"Looking at his face, I wanted to kill him," she said. "I had a lot of anger in that courtroom and he stares at us like he's got a reason to be mad."