Fugitive who was wanted in '96 slaying is jailed in Utah

After almost two years on the run, murder suspect Jose Jimenez is behind bars. Through a federal warrant, Mexican police arrested Jimenez, brought him to the United States and handed him over to detectives from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in Houston.

Jimenez, 28, is wanted for the Oct. 20, 1996, shooting death of Henry Dennis Miera, 32, who was sitting behind the wheel of his car in the parking lot of a Taylorsville convenience store.Jimenez and detectives arrived in Salt Lake Friday night on a commercial airline flight, Salt Lake County deputy sheriff Peggy Faulk-ner said.

Jimenez faces one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder, all first-degree felonies.

Miera was sitting in his car waiting for friends about 1:30 a.m. when his companions got into an argument with Jimenez and his wife, Noemi. The argument moved outside, where Jimenez lifted his shirt to display his handgun.

One of Miera's companions hit Jimenez, knocking him to the ground. Jimenez responded by pulling his gun and firing several shots.

Then he walked up to the window of Miera's vehicle and fired several rounds, hitting Miera.

Police have never been sure why the fight started or why Miera was targeted because he was never a part of the fight.