Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks announces that the man who intentionally lit his ex-girlfriend on fire has been convicted of all charges by a jury. Jeremy Chatman (dob 7/27/89) was charged with Attempted Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon, Domestic Battery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Substantial harm, and Battery by a Parolee with the Use of a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm.
Reno Police, Reno Fire, and RESMA responded to an apartment building on Selmi Drive on December 11, 2021 following a 9-1-1 call about a woman that had been set on fire. When emergency services arrived, they found the victim, a 31-year-old woman, sitting in a puddle in the parking lot, covered in burns. Medical personnel began immediate life-saving treatment, as the woman had 3rd degree burns to her face, head, and most of her upper body. While talking with police, several witnesses stated that the victim had screamed that her ex-boyfriend Jeremy Chatman had lit her on fire after she was doused with gasoline.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Travis Lucia highlighted the premeditation that Chatman displayed before the attack, including several text messages to the victim asking to meet up, and a post on social media of the word “everything” surrounded by flames, alluding to his planned burning of the victim. The victim also testified, saying that, after she had been doused in gasoline, Chatman looked directly at her and lit her on fire without saying a single word. Chatman had been granted parole on October 1, 2021 in connection to an Attempted Eluding case and was on parole when he attempted to murder the victim.
Sentencing is set for July 24th with the Honorable Judge Egan Walker. Chatman faces up to a maximum of 70 years in prison, with up to 20 years for Attempted Murder, 20 years for the Weapon Enhancement, 15 years for the Domestic Battery charge, and 15 years for Battery by a Parolee.
