A California man has been sentenced to life in prison for a horrific crime. He is accused of setting two individuals, including his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his children, on fire while they were inside a pickup truck.
A press release from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office on Aug. 26 announced that Joshua Kaiser, 33, has been convicted of multiple charges including arson, attempted murder, and domestic violence. The incident took place on June 18, 2023, in Johnson Valley, San Bernardino County.
In a series of unsettling events, the incident unfolded on June 18th as a 29-year-old man arrived at a remote property located in the 52000 block of Cholla Road in the unincorporated community of Johnson Valley. As stated in the press release, he visited a five-acre parcel that included a house and several trailers, RVs, and outbuildings to assist a friend who was away.
The press release states that the male victim borrowed a truck and went to the property. “He had no idea that Kaiser, the defendant’s mother, and a few others were residing on the premises.”
According to prosecutors, the man had a prior encounter with Kaiser and had previously assisted him when his motorcycle ran out of gas.
According to prosecutors, Kaiser and his mother temporarily left the property to refuel their vehicle. While away, Kaiser’s former partner and mother of his two children approached him and requested a ride off the property due to a previous argument between them.
Unfortunately, his truck refused to start.
Kaiser and his mother later came back to the property carrying a container filled with gasoline. Prosecutors stated that the male victim expressed initial relief upon finding someone who could potentially assist him in jump-starting the truck.
According to prosecutors, Kaiser expressed his anger upon seeing the two individuals in the truck and warned his ex-girlfriend about the forthcoming events.
While seated in the cab of the truck, Kaiser reportedly left briefly before coming back with the gasoline.
“According to prosecutors, Kaiser allegedly doused both victims with gasoline and deliberately struck matches at them without warning.” “Kaiser deliberately ignited them and the inside of the truck.”
According to prosecutors, Kaiser expressed his feelings on Father’s Day in a rather colorful manner as he approached the passenger’s side of the truck. “He continued pouring gasoline on the male victim in a methodical manner.”
Prosecutors have stated that both victims managed to escape and were promptly taken to the hospital for necessary treatment. The male victim endured a grueling 13-day period in an induced coma, enduring severe burns covering almost eighty percent of his body. The former partner of Kaiser sustains severe burns covering half her body.
According to KTLA 5, Kaiser was arrested on July 5, 2023 and later found guilty on March 13, 2024.
During his recent sentencing, Judge Rasheed Alexander expressed his commitment to fairness and justice, as reported by the Hi-Desert Star. “Although I may not personally agree with imposing such a lengthy prison sentence, it is my duty to do so if it is deemed necessary.”
Kaiser’s attorney, Jason Whiteside, expressed his intention to appeal the conviction to the judge, as reported by the Star.
Source: PEOPLE