Fowler Convicted of Sister’s Murder

San Andreas, CA — A Calaveras County judge has found the 15-year-old brother of Leila Fowler guilty of her slaying back on April 27, 2013.

As previously reported, Isaiah Fowler was 12 years old when the murder took place. Eight-year-old Leila Fowler was stabbed more than 20 times in their Valley Springs home with Isaiah the only one home at the time of the killing. He had initially told police an intruder had killed his sister and ran from the home, which prompted a manhunt.

In handing down his decision, Judge Thomas A. Smith found Fowler guilty of second-degree murder with the use of a knife. Fowler’s sentencing is scheduled for November 4 at 1:30 p.m. According to the Calaveras County District Attorney’s office, typically a conviction on this charge would, for an adult, bring a sentence of 15 years to life plus one; the maximum time that a minor can be held under the law is until age 23.