Jury Convicts Marco Antonio Cota, Jr. of First-Degree Murder and Mutilation of Human Remains

Author: District Attorney
Date: 2/14/2024 3:07:04 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Marco Antonio Cota, Jr. (44) has been convicted after a jury trial of first-degree murder and mutilation of human remains, with three prior “strike” convictions under California’s Three Strikes Law.

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District Attorney Dan Dow announced that yesterday, Tuesday February 13, 2024, a San Luis Obispo County jury found Marco Antonio Cota, Jr. (DOB 08/27/1979) guilty of first-degree murder and mutilation of human remains in the November 2021 killing of Rick Fowler (64). 

Today, Superior Court Judge Timothy Covello found true the allegation that Cota had suffered three prior convictions for “strike” offenses under California’s Three Strikes Law: including a 1998 conviction for Robbery in Tulare County and convictions for Criminal Threats in 2014 and Assault with a Deadly Weapon in 2016, both in San Luis Obispo County. 

The crimes against Mr. Fowler occurred in the Bianchi Open Space area of San Luis Obispo during the evening of November 20, 2021.  At trial, jurors heard evidence that Cota and Mr. Fowler were involved in a verbal argument and that Cota followed Mr. Fowler back to Mr. Fowler’s campsite, where Cota attacked and beat him to death.  Cota then pierced the body of Mr. Fowler with several sticks. 

Cota is scheduled to be sentenced March 11, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 5 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, where he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo City Police Department  with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Melissa Chabra.

Here is a copy of the defendant’s booking photo.  Here is a copy of the charging document.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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