RICKIE LEE FOWLER (ARSONIST OF THE OLD FIRE ON OCTOBER 25, 2003)

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INTERNET SOURCE: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/arsonist-senteced-to-death-over-fatal-2003-la-wildfire/story-fnat7jnn-1226564050978

Rickie Lee Fowler (PHOTO SOURCE: http://crimevoice.com/old-fire-arsonist-now-faces-death-penalty-15645/rickie-lee-fowler/)

 Arsonist sentenced to death over fatal 2003 LA wildfire

• AP
• January 29, 2013 10:34AM

Rickie Lee Fowler sits in a courtroom before being sentenced to death  murdering five men who died of heart attacks during a Southern California wildfire in 2003. Picture: AP /The Press-Enterprise, Stan Lim Source: AP (PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/arsonist-senteced-to-death-over-fatal-2003-la-wildfire/story-fnat7jnn-1226564050978)

AN ARSONIST in the US has been sentenced to death for killing five men who died of heart attacks during a wildfire that ripped through the hills east of Los Angeles a decade ago.

Superior Court Judge Michael Smith had the option of sentencing Rickie Lee Fowler, 31, to the harshest penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"Today, after nearly 10 years, justice has now been secured for the victims and their families, and those whose lives were affected by the actions of Rickie Lee Fowler," said District Attorney Michael Ramos.

Fowler was convicted in August of five counts of first-degree murder and two counts of arson. A jury later recommended a death sentence for Fowler.

Prosecutors said Fowler lit the fire in 2003 out of rage after he was thrown out of a house where his family was staying.

The Old Fire scorched 36,827 hectares in October 2003 and destroyed 1000 buildings while burning for nine days in the foothills above San Bernardino. The men died after their homes burned or as they tried to evacuate.

Fowler became a suspect after witnesses reported seeing a passenger in a white van tossing burning objects into dry brush.

Investigators interviewed Fowler several months after the fire but didn't have enough evidence to file charges until six years later.

Fowler was serving time for burglary when he was charged with starting the blaze - one of many fires that raged simultaneously throughout Southern California. He was convicted of sodomising an inmate and sentenced to three terms of 25 years to life while in prison awaiting trial.

Prosecutors at the arson trial portrayed Fowler as a sadistic felon who raped, robbed and tortured people throughout his life.

Defence lawyers said Fowler never acknowledged starting the fire and suffered a horrific childhood with methamphetamine-addicted parents and a neighbour who molested him.

Prosecutors said Fowler gave authorities a note in 2008 acknowledging he was there when the fire began. The following year, he told reporters he had been badgered into making a confession.

Convicted Old Fire arsonist Rickie Lee Fowler, is all smiles in court during his sentencing hearing Monday in San Bernardino Superior Court. Fowler was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder and two counts of arson in connection with starting the 2003 wildfire. (LaFonzo Carter/Staff Photographer) (PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_22464713/rickie-lee-fowler-set-sentencing-today)