Enthetan
Master of Disaster
From CBS4 Denver
Fowler To Stand Trial For Business Partner Murder
An Adams County judge says a man, accused of shooting a former business partner, will stand trial. The first degree murder trial will begin May 19.
Prosecutors claim Rex Fowler shot himself after shooting Thomas Ciancio on Dec. 30. The prosecution presented four witnesses during Friday's preliminary hearing.
Fowler has been charged with first degree murder. He appeared in court wearing shackles around his wrists and ankles.
An Adams County Sheriff's Deputy testified that Fowler seemed dazed after the shooting.
A detective who responded to the hospital after the shooting said he heard in the emergency room that Fowler had been shot under the chin.
A second detective who took the stand said witnesses heard a series of three gun shots, then a break, then another shot or two. Co-workers said they never heard yelling, only gunshots.
Deputies also testified that Fowler brought his gun to work and wore a suit, something he only did on special occasions. He also tucked a living will inside his pocket.
Another detective testified that witnesses stated both Ciancio and another employee suspected that Fowler had embezzled money, up to $250,000 from the company for his church. Fowler was a practicing Scientologist.
They said Ciancio was so upset that he decided to resign and was going back to work at Fowler Software Design to pick up his final check on the day he was killed.
Deputies testified they found a note formalizing the severance pay and a checkbook with a bullet hole through it beside Ciancio's body.
According to autopsy reports, Ciancio died after being shot three times in the head.