Psychiatric Size-Up Delays Fire Sentencing
A federal judge Monday delayed the sentencing of Robert E. Lowenberg, instead ordering a psychiatric evaluation of the 19-year-old Cypress man who has admitted setting a fire that destroyed 7,100 acres in the Cleveland National Forest last September.
“We’re hoping it will confirm what our psychologist is saying,” said Cypress Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg, the defendant’s father. “That is that chances for complete recovery are positive.”
While joining in the call for the report, the federal prosecutor repeated her belief that Lowenberg should spend at least one year in federal prison. “(The report) won’t change my mind,” said Ronni MacLaren, assistant U.S. attorney.
The blaze, known as the Silverado Canyon fire, burned from Sept. 9 to 23. Costs of fighting the brush fire in the rugged terrain were estimated at $2.7 million, and several firefighters were injured.
Lowenberg’s lawyer, Anna Ho, said the evaluation will help answer a question that her client cannot--why he set the fire.
“The judge would like to know if he is considered to be an arsonist, if he is likely to do it again--and most important, why he did it,” Ho said.
U.S. District Judge James Ideman ordered the psychiatric report to be prepared within 60 days.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
