The man accused of killing three family members by burning down his family’s Logan Heights home was on probation at the time of the alleged deadly arson, court records confirm.
Wilber Romero, 26, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder, attempted murder and arson in the Oct. 13 deaths of his mother, father and sister, police said. His two siblings were also injured in the blaze that tore through the family's home on Clay Avenue.
Court records confirm Romero was sentenced to 129 days custody, three years probation and an $800 fine in November 2018. A judge also ordered Romero not to own or possess any firearms, following his plea bargain on those 2018 charges.
According to the court records, prosecutors had charged Romero with assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, and interfering with a law enforcement officer related to a September 2018 incident.
Romero pleaded guilty to the interference charge after prosecutors agreed to drop the other two criminal allegations.
Family members said Romero had a strained relationship with family members, and described a time when he threw a brick at his father.
Romer's arrest was announced a day after San Diego police announced the fire was under investigation by the department's homicide unit. He is being held on $5 million bail.
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Investigators said inadequate and outdated security measures may have made it difficult for the family to escape the fiery inferno that tore through their Logan Heights home.
