Louie Martinez has been convicted of attempted murder and arson after prosecutors said he set fire to the bedding of an elderly woman who was sleeping outdoors in downtown Lodi. The victim, described in court as an elder experiencing homelessness, survived the flames, recovered from her injuries and later took the stand against him. Sentencing is set for June 22, 2026, in Department 9B of the San Joaquin County Superior Court.
Investigation and evidence
According to investigators, surveillance footage pointed them to Martinez as the suspect. When officers arrested him, they reported finding two lighters and a can of butane on him, along with shoes that showed partial melting and burn marks. Fire crews were able to knock down the blaze before it turned deadly, and prosecutors said Martinez admitted he knew a person was present where he started the fire.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Kistler led the case, relying on surveillance, physical evidence and witness testimony to secure the guilty verdicts. Those details were outlined in a press release from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors’ statement and trial
“Setting an elderly person on fire while they slept is an attack on human decency,” District Attorney Ron Freitas said in the office’s statement, pulling no punches about the nature of the crime. Prosecutors said the victim suffered injuries, recovered and later testified at trial, giving jurors a firsthand account of what happened…