Victims Of Deadly Apartment Fire React To Tulsa Man's Acquittal

A Tulsa man was acquitted of arson and two counts of murder involving a deadly apartment fire.

01/18/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Man Acquitted Of Murder, Arson; Guilty Of Making Meth In Deadly Fire

Mark Roberts was cleared in the 2009 fire at the Royal Arms apartments But he could still spend the rest of his life in prison.

Loved ones of victims of a fire three years ago cried at the end of Mark Roberts' trial. Nikki Cain suffered permanent brain damage in the fire.

Her cousin was sickened that Roberts was cleared of two murder charges and an arson charge.

"He hasn't learned his lesson. Leopards don't change their spots. There are people who can be rehabilitated. I don't think he's one of those people," said Debbie Morris, victim's cousin.

Roberts was convicted only for making or trying to make meth for a fire that started in his apartment at the Royal Arms complex in March 2009.

"He's very pleased that he is not convicted of the murder counts and the arson count. He had maintained his innocence on those charges all along," said defense attorney Jim Huber.

Maria Martinez was killed in the fire along with Armando Nunez.

"It's been really hard because I really miss my daddy," Nunez's 8-year-old daughter, Anna.

Nunez's wife confronted Roberts' father after the trial.

"I said you know what he did and he kept saying, ‘I know, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' I said, ‘he took that away from my kids, the fact that when they graduate or they get married or they need to talk to their daddy, he's not there anymore,'" Sharon Nunez said.

During sentencing, the jury was allowed to hear about Roberts criminal past -- which includes three previous felony drug convictions.

He was released from prison on those convictions just one year before the fire. That new information resulted in jurors recommending life in prison.

The defense team wasn't totally surprised.

"You're found not guilty on the other three, the passions can spill over into that other count," Huber said.

Roberts is now planning an appeal.

The victims' families say the recommendation of life in prison should send a strong message to anyone trying to make meth.

A judge will decide whether to accept the jury's recommendation on January 27th. Roberts will be held in Tulsa County custody until then.

Related Stories:

7/29/2009: Man In Custody For Deadly Tulsa Meth Lab Fire

01/09/2012: Tulsan's Trial In Deadly 2009 Apartment Fire Begins This Week

01/10/2012: Opening Statements Begin In Trial Of Tulsa Man Charged In Deadly Fire

01/11/2012: Several Witnesses Take Stand In Trial Of Tulsa Man Charged In Deadly Fire

01/12/2012: Tulsa Officer Testifies Meth Lab Evidence Was Found In Deadly Fire