A man was convicted of the 2025 attempted murder and arson of an unhoused woman in downtown Lodi.
A jury convicted Louie Martinez on Feb. 27 of intentionally setting fire to the bedding on a woman who was sleeping outdoors near an intersection, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office said.
“This was a callous and depraved act of violence against one of our most vulnerable community members,” District Attorney Ron Freitas said in a statement.
He added, “Setting an elderly person on fire while they slept is an attack on human decency itself. Thanks to the diligent work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, justice has been served, and this dangerous individual will now face severe consequences for his actions.”
DA officials said the woman was asleep on the ground when Martinez approached her and “deliberately” ignited her bedding with a flammable object. The woman woke up to flames that rapidly spread to her hand and began surrounding her as well as engulfing her belongings.
The woman suffered injuries, but survived.
The Lodi Police Department said they identified Martinez as the suspect after they reviewed nearby surveillance video.
Police said the video clearly captured Martinez holding a flammable item, igniting the fire and kicking the item toward the woman to accelerate the speed on the fire.
After the fire, officers said they found Martinez nearby and discovered two lighters and butane in his possession. His shoes showed partial melting and burn marks – to which Martinez said were caused by cigarette smoking.
The DA’s office said Martinez, who was in a wheelchair when the incident occurred, admitted to knowing someone was present at the location where he had started the fire.
Martinez is scheduled to appear back in court for sentencing on June 22.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Lodi man convicted of setting unhoused woman on fire in Lodi
Reporting by Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record
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