Suspected arsonist charged with murder in California

Authorities on Thursday filed murder and arson charges against a man suspected of setting a Southern California wildfire last week that killed five firefighters.

Prosecutors charged Raymond Lee Oyler with five counts of murder, 11 counts of arson and 10 counts of use of an incendiary device, authorities said.

If convicted, Oyler, 36, could be punished by life in prison without parole or the death penalty, authorities said.

Authorities will decide in the next 60 days which sentence to seek.

"The feelings of the surviving family members of the victims will be consulted and be given great weight by our office in what is always a difficult decision," District Attorney-elect Rod Pacheco said.

Oyler, who was arrested on Tuesday, was also suspected of setting two other fires in Southern California in June.

Source: Xinhua