The Redding man accused of torching a gas station cashier to death last year could learn his fate Friday. Juan Manual Venegas has been charged with walking into the Johnson Park gas station on December 21st, pouring a flammable liquid on 54-year-old David Wicks and then lighting the place on fire. Venegas was seen leaving the scene on a bicycle wearing a yellow rain suit. Video surveillance shown in court showed Wicks engulfed in flames, but did not clearly show the face of the arsonist. The case against Venegas also had some holes when a witness pointed out someone else as the possible murderer. The witness also said that Venegas was wearing a two piece rain suit, while the sheriffs office said it was a one piece. The preliminary hearing lasted most of Thursday and should wrap up Friday, when Venegas will learn whether or not he will stand trial. He was arrested in January in Redding and is being held on Two Million Dollars bail.
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