Man charged in Frederick, Md., Burger King slaying

Frederick police have charged a suspect with first-degree murder in the slaying last March of a Burger King manager.

The suspect was identified as Jose Mejia-Varela, 21, who is in the custody of U.S. marshals pending sentencing on federal charges for illegally entering the country after having been deported as an aggravated felon, Police Chief Kim Dine said Friday.


Mejia-Varela was convicted of attempted robbery in Frederick County in 2008, Dine said. He will be served with the murder charge after sentencing in the federal case.

No defense attorney was listed for Mejia-Varela in the murder case. A search of federal cases turned up none under his name.

Burger King Manager Jacinta "Patty" Ayala was shot to death on the morning of March 18 shortly after opening the Frederick restaurant.