Trial for Esperanza Fire defendant rescheduled to April
08:22 PM PST on Friday, December 14, 2007
A Superior Court judge has ordered that the next hearing in one of Riverside County's most significant murder cases be closed to the public.
Raymond Lee Oyler returns to court next month to face murder and arson charges in the deaths of five U.S. Forest Service firefighters during the October 2006 Esperanza fire. The attorneys involved are not allowed to say what the Jan. 25 hearing is about or why it has been closed.
Judge Jeffrey Prevost said in court that the hearing could "cause prejudice" if it was open to the public.
The defense and prosecution met with Prevost in chambers before a hearing Friday. Prevost also ordered the transcript of that discussion sealed.
At Friday's hearing, Prevost postponed Oyler's jury trial, rescheduling it for April 14.
On Oct. 26, 2006, fire overran the Engine 57 crew of Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, of Idyllwild; Jess McLean, of Beaumont; Jason McKay, of Phelan; Daniel Hoover-Najera, of San Jacinto; and Pablo Cerda, of Fountain Valley. They were trying to protect a vacant octagonal home in Twin Pines from a wildfire.
A federal report later concluded that the crew and the U.S. Forest Service committed six serious violations that compromised firefighter safety during the wildland blaze.
Oyler also faces 23 counts of arson and 17 counts of setting wildfires with an incendiary device. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody. The district attorney's office is seeking the death penalty.
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