Matthew Kimmens, a 44-year-old Reno, Nev., man, was found guilty on five counts of arson that caused $1.7 million in damages police say were associated with domestic violence. Three houses were damaged and one completely destroyed by blazes Kimmens set on Aug.14, 2022. Kimmens was found guilty Friday in a trial that lasted five days, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal.
On the day of the fire, Kimmens had a fight with his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years. He believed she was hiding from him at her father’s home and told her on the phone, “I hope they have lots of marshmallows.” The girlfriend, who was actually staying at a hotel, said she interpreted this as “his way of saying he is going to burn down my parent's house,” according to a Washoe County Sheriff's Office investigation.