Douglas Taylor found guilty of Aurora arson that killed Jose De Jesus Martinez Espinoza in 2009

Larger photo below.

One of the earliest entries in our Mile High Murder archive involves a May 2009 arson-related murder in Aurora that led to the arrests of Douglas Taylor and Coy Dunn. The victim in the case was subsequently identified as Jose De Jesus Martinez Espinoza.

More than a year later, Taylor has been convicted thanks in part to testimony by Dunn. Get details and see photos of Taylor and Dunn below.

Coy Dunn.

Here are the first two releases from the Aurora Police Department in relation to the crime:

Information released on May 30, 2009

Major Crimes/Homicide detectives have arrested two suspects on 1st Degree Arson and Attempt Homicide charges stemming from the fire at 2301 Emporia Street during the early morning hours of May 28, 2009.

Major Crimes/Homicide detectives have worked around the clock to gather evidence and to identify and locate the suspects. They received valuable assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations Arson investigator and the Aurora Fire Department Arson Investigators.

Both suspects were arrested in Commerce City by the Aurora Police Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team (FAST) and the local Fugitive Location and Apprehension Group (FLAG). Two residences and one vehicle are being searched by detectives in Commerce City today.

Suspect #1 is identified as Taylor, Douglas Jr., DOB: 05.01.1975.

Suspect #2 is identified as Dunn, Coy Thomas Marty, DOB: 12.07.1987.

One victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. His identity has not yet been confirmed. Two other victims who were injured in the fire were treated and released from a local hospital.

Seventeen additional occupants of the apartment complex escaped uninjured, in part due to the courageous actions of 4 patrol officers who spotted the fire, evacuated the building and rescued the most seriously injured victim.

Detectives have reason to believe that the intended targets of the arson escaped unharmed, and that the injured victims had nothing to do with the motive for the arson.

Major Crimes/Homicide detectives are working with Aurora Fire Department Arson Investigators searching the crime scene for additional evidence this afternoon.

DATE: June 1, 2009 NATURE: Homicide/1st Degree Arson

The critically injured victim in the arson at 2301 N. Emporia Street died in a local hospital at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2009. Positive identification has still not been established.

The victim, Espinoza, wasn't the target of the arson, prosecutors insisted. Instead, they believed that Taylor was taking revenge on an ex-girlfriend -- and with assistance from Dunn, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, they managed to convince a jury.

Page down to see a larger photo of Taylor and to read details about his conviction courtesy of the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office: