When five firefighters died trying to save a home from a raging wildfire, 10,000 mourners crowded the funeral and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eulogized them for bravery.
Now, a 38-year old auto mechanic charged with being the arsonist who killed them is going on trial Monday and the search for an impartial jury may be difficult.
Prosecutor Michael Hestrin said it could be at least two weeks before any testimony is heard in the trial of Raymond Lee Oyler, who is charged with setting some two dozen fires including the 2006 Esperanza fire that claimed the lives of the five firefighters.
Oyler has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of using an incendiary device and 23 counts of arson.
Oyler has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
