VISALIA, Calif. (KMJ) — A Visalia man was convicted of attempted murder and arson charges after a jury found him guilty of setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home in 2021.
The jury found 37-year-old Mark Martin guilty of 4 counts of attempted murder and one count of arson on Wednesday.
Martin broke into the garage of his ex on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7th around 6:30 p.m., and used gasoline to start a fire near the water heater.
The fire quickly spread to two cars in the garage and other areas.
Matin’s ex, both of his children, and his ex’s boyfriend were all inside at the time of the fire but were able to get out safely.
The next day, Martin made a Snapchat post directed at his ex-girlfriend about the seriousness of his intentions and the fear that he hoped the fire instilled in her.
He also commented on the Visalia Stringer’s Facebook post about the incident, asking how a water heater could cause so much damage.
During the investigation, detectives located surveillance video of a man on a BMX bicycle in the area at the time of the fire.
Martin was positively identified as the man in the video and was arrested two days after the fire.
Evidence presented at his trial included voicemail to his ex wishing she would “die a slow death” and “burn to death,” as well as statements he made to others bragging about starting the fire less than an hour after the incident.
Martin was convicted of four counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, one count of arson, and one count of first-degree residential burglary.
He has multiple felony convictions for receiving stolen property, carrying a loaded firearm, burglary, and vandalism.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 3rd where he faces life in prison.
