Old Fire arsonist sentenced to death penalty

Rickie Lee Fowler was formally sentenced to receive the death penalty Monday for starting the 2003 “Old Fire” that burned more than 90,000 acres, damaged 1,003 homes and led to the deaths of five men.

Fowler, 31, was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 15, 2012, of five counts of first-degree murder and two counts of arson in connection with the fire. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Robert Bulloch prosecuted the case.

District Attorney Michael Ramos issued the following statement regarding Fowler’s sentencing:

“Today, after nearly ten 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.”