Waukesha Woman Set On Fire: Las Vegas Man Sentenced To 38 Years

WAUKESHA, WI — A 40-year-old Las Vegas man was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 24 years of extended supervision on felony charges stemming from an incident in which Amber Fuller was set on fire in Waukesha.

Joel Murn was sentenced Monday in Waukesha County Circuit Court, according to online court documents.

Murn pleaded no contest in July to attempted first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of arson of property, all felonies, in Waukesha County Circuit Court, court records said.

The court dismissed two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of arson of a building, according to court records.

Patch reached out to Fuller for comment on Murn’s sentencing.

Mistaken Identity?

Murn was sentenced in the case of Fuller, who was set on fire shortly before 9 a.m. Sept. 2, 2020, in the 400 block of Lake Street, according to a criminal complaint.

Fuller said she was walking her dogs when a man she didn't know set her on fire. She told police she let go of her dogs because "I was engulfed in flames," according to the criminal complaint. She said she knew no one who would do that.

Murn's female cousin told police he had threatened her previously, according to the complaint. Murn might have mistaken the woman walking her dogs as his cousin, the complaint said.

At 9:12 a.m. that morning, a car driven by Murn struck his grandfather, William Godfrey, 83, according to the criminal complaint and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Godfrey was taken to the hospital and survived.

Murn was also accused of setting two cars on fire: one that was in a garage and another that was in the driveway. Murn also set a workshop on fire, causing significant damage, according to the complaint.

Murn's grandparents said 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 at 400 N. Barker Road on Sept. 2, 202o.