A former Cal Fire Battalion Chief with Valley ties stands trial for murder.
A jury trial is beginning for former Cal Fire Battalion Chief Orville “Moe” Fleming, who’s charged with murder in the death of his 26-year-old girlfriend.
Opening statements begin before Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Sharon Lueras.
Fleming has pleaded not guilty.
The 56-year-old was arrested following a 16-day manhunt last year after Sarah June Douglas was found fatally stabbed in their south Sacramento home.
He reportedly has family ties to the Fresno/Clovis area.
Fleming taught at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Training Academy.
His arrest triggered a separate CHP investigation of the academy that led to 16 Cal Fire employees being disciplined.
They were fired, demoted or quit for activities including cheating, drinking on duty, and sharing sexually explicit photographs.
