BRIGHTON — A DNA test was ordered today for a 58-year-old businessman and founder of an Adams County software company accused of killing his former business partner.
Adams County District Judge Francis Wasserman this morning also set an April 9 preliminary hearing for William Rex Fowler, who appeared in court shackled and wearing surgical scrubs.
Fowler allegedly shot and killed 42-year-old Thomas Ciancio on Dec. 30 at Fowler Software Design. Investigators say Fowler shot Ciancio three times in the head with a 9mm Glock handgun when Cianco came to the business to collect $9,900 in severance pay.
Ciancio, who was Fowler Software's chief operating officer, resigned Nov. 23 in a dispute over the way the company was being managed.
He wore brown sandals, no socks, and what appeared to be blue scrubs from a hospital. Adams County DA officials wouldn't disclose where Fowler was being held while in custody.
Prosecutors on Monday also wanted access to Fowler's medical records but not any psychological records. Judge Wasserman said he would rule on that issue next week.
Investigators responding to the shooting found Fowler staggering outside the front door of the company building, bleeding from the head.
Fowler was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for a gunshot wound from the bottom of his chin through the top of his head.
Ciancio's body was found inside Fowler's office. They also found what was believed to be the gun used in the murder.
The gun was registered to Fowler's son, Alexander Hyung Fowler, who lived at 1413 L. Ron Hubbard Way in Los Angeles.
Fowler's wife, Janet, reportedly told investigators that her husband is a Scientologist "and would not have gone without a fight."
She also demanded investigators return a briefcase found in Fowler's office, saying that it contained materials related to her church.
According to the arrest affidavit, police said Ciancio's brother gave investigators four binders of Scientology materials that Fowler had given to Ciancio, asking him to study the religion.