Kansas City, Kan. — A man accused of igniting a house fire by shooting off illegal fireworks in July has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of an 8-year-old girl.
Karl L. Bowlin, 41, of Kansas City, Kan., faces a possible sentence of about four years in prison, his attorney said after the conviction Thursday. Wyandotte County District Judge J. Dexter Burdette, who tried the case without a jury, scheduled sentencing for March 29.
Bowlin lived near the house that burned on July 2 killing Jewell Morse. Her mother and six of her siblings escaped, and firefighters found Jewell's body in a hallway.
Prosecutors contended that Bowlin threw or aimed an illegal fireworks rocket at the house. The rocket ignited a flammable solvent, possibly paint thinner, and the fire spread quickly.
Jewell's mother, Dawn DeMotte, was angered by the verdict. She had hoped the judge would convict Bowlin of second-degree murder, which carries a longer sentence.
"Her life meant more than four years," DeMotte said of her daughter.
Bowlin was initially charged with first-degree felony murder and aggravated arson. The arson charge was later dismissed, and prosecutors amended the remaining charge to second-degree murder.
In his verdict, Burdette found that Bowlin knowingly and intentionally set off the rocket that started the blaze.
Defense attorney Dan Cahill said he was aware that Jewell's family had hoped for a tougher conviction.
"And, of course, we thought the evidence was in our favor," Cahill said. "I don't know if this makes anyone happy."
Cahill said that with all the fireworks ignited that night, it was impossible to determine which one actually caused the fire.
Assistant District Attorney John Bryant called the judge's ruling fair, and said he hoped the public would remember that "fireworks are what killed Jewell Morse."
"She was only 8 years old, and I hope they think on that on the anniversary of her death when they go out to buy these fireworks," Bryant said.
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Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Our only hope is that someday these firecracker idiots will grow up and stop placing everyone in danger. This is exactly why fireworks should never be allowed in cities.
Trekkie (anonymous) says…
yeah because all people are completely irresponsible and need the government to control their every move.