Five Counts of Murder for Arson Suspect

11/2/2006 - Police in Riverside County arrested the man believed to be responsible for the deaths of five firefighters. Arson investigators say the Esperanza wildfire was intentionally set one week ago today. The Santa Ana winds quickly whipped it into a deadly inferno.

Raymond Lee Oyler was already facing arson charges from smaller fires earlier this summer. And now, police and the district attorney say he also set last week's fatal wildfire near Palm Springs. 36 year old Raymond Lee Oyler is accused of setting this deadly fire one week ago in the California Desert that blackened more than 60 acres and killed five firefighters.
He faces five counts of first degree murder and another 21 arson related charges. Rod Racheco, District Attorney-Elect, said "The charges we are filing include the possibility of life without parole in prison or also the possibility death."

Before the Esperanza fire, Oyler allegedly set two other arsons in the area this summer. His only previous criminal record consisted of minor traffic violations. The DA says, "He is distraught...He is scared."
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?se...cal&id=4721016