Hearing Held For Man Accused Of Burning Woman In Waukesha

WAUKESHA, WI—A hearing for a 39-year-old man from Las Vegas who is accused of setting a woman on fire in Waukesha was held via Zoom on Wednesday in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

Joel Murn is facing six felony charges: first degree intentional homicide, two counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety, arson of building without owner's consent, and two counts of arson of property other than building.

Murn was supposed to appear during a court hearing on Sept. 4 but was refusing to come to court, according to online court documents. His cash bond was set at $1 million.

Murn didn't appear on the video conference on Wednesday due to medical reasons, according to online court records. An attorney will be appointed for Murn. His next court date is Sept. 16.

Officers responded to a report of a woman being set on fire at 8:49 a.m. on Sept. 2, in the 400 block of Lake Street, according to a criminal complaint.

The woman said she was walking her dogs when she was lit on fire by a man she didn't know who was wearing a red ball cap and a gray hoodie. She told police she let go of her dogs because "I was engulfed in flames," according to the complaint. She said she knew of no one who would do that.

A female cousin said Murn had threatened her previously, according to the complaint. The criminal complaint said Murn might have mistaken the woman walking her dogs as his cousin.

The cousin told police Murn has a history of mental health issues due to a traumatic brain injury from a car accident, the complaint said.

At 9:12 a.m., Waukesha police and fire officials were called to Fox Vale Court, where an 83-year-old man had been hit by a vehicle driven by his grandson, identified as Murn.

Police said they also determined that Murn acted alone in setting two vehicles on fire — one of which was in a garage and another which was in the driveway. Murn also set a workshop on fire, which caused significant damage, according to the complaint.

The 83-year-old man who was struck by the vehicle was taken to the hospital, the complaint said.

Murn's grandparents stated they hadn't seen Murn in 16 years. They received letters accusing the grandfather of giving bad stock advice and stating he was "mentally abused," the complaint said.

Murn was taken into custody at Goerke's Corners Park and Ride located at 400 N. Barker Road later that day.