Former Cal Fire battalion chief makes first court appearance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The former Cal Fire battalion chief accused of murder made his first court appearance on Tuesday in Sacramento, with the victim's family members sitting in the front row.

Orville "Moe" Fleming is accused of fatally stabbing his escort -turned-fiancee on May 1. He was arrested last Friday after a two-week manhunt.

This was the first time Sarah Douglas' relatives saw Fleming since she was stabbed to death. They said it was very hard, and her mother admitted she had to restrain herself from trying to attack him.

Oscar Fleming said only a few words during his first court appearance, first confirming his name, and then telling the judge he can't afford an attorney. The whole hearing lasted just minutes, but was filled with emotion for the family of 26-year-old Sarah Douglas.

"Bad, I wanted, bad I wanted to attack him, bad. I wanted to do something bad," said Trudi Werly, the victim's mother.

Cal Fire officials say Fleming spent 24 years with the department, including some time in the Central Valley and has family in Clovis. He's accused of stabbing Douglas to death at her home in Sacramento. He disappeared for two weeks before a detective spotted him getting on a bus in the Elk Grove area on Friday. He told investigators he was hiding out in the thick brush not far from where he abandoned his Cal Fire truck. Authorities also say he has admitted to killing Douglas, who he first met online as an escort.

Fleming did not enter a plea on Tuesday, but Douglas' aunt Trina Werley hopes he will confess in court soon.

"I want him to plead guilty. That's what I want. I want him to save his family and our family the whole circus of a trial," she said.

Fleming's arraignment was postponed until May 27. Douglas' relatives plan to be back in court for his arraignment -- on a day that's normally a time for their family to celebrate.

"We'll be back on our dad's birthday, May 27th," said Trina Werley.