Two Blair County men charged last week in connection with the robbery and killing of an Altoona man on a Cambria County mountain last month now face charges of first-degree murder.

John E. "Minnow" Mease, 28, of Bellwood, and Damien Marcus "Manny" Pierce, 31, of Altoona, on Monday were charged with first- and second-degree murder, criminal homicide and receiving stolen property in the death of James Tucker, 22.

Mr. Tucker's body was found, shot and burning, in a brush fire April 27.

Torone Maurice "TuTu" Dixon, 25, of Philadelphia, was charged last week with criminal homicide, robbery and conspiracy, and aggravated assault.

According to a police affidavit, Mr. Dixon forced the victim out of a car at gunpoint, ordered him to turn over all his drugs and cash, then shot him, "to even a score."

When Mr. Tucker staggered away, running for his life, Mr. Dixon chased after him, shooting him, then kicking and striking him with his .22-caliber revolver, the affidavit said.

Mr. Mease and Mr. Pierce then dragged the victim into a small stand of pine trees, doused him with lighter fluid and set him on fire, the complaint said.

Police say 20-year old Christine DeStefano, who shared a Tyrone trailer with Mr. Dixon, helped to lure Mr. Tucker to the location of his death.

After the crime, she called her family to tell them she was being held against her will; police initially feared for her safety. Ms. DeStefano was later charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and released on bond.

All the men are being held without bond at the Cambria County Prison, and all of them now have attorneys, said Cambria County District Attorney Patrick Kiniry.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26 at 1 p.m. in the Cambria County Courthouse.