A Sacramento jury on Friday convicted Jennifer Hunter and Ron Read of premeditated attempted murder and torture in a 2021 parking-lot attack that left a man with catastrophic burns and permanent disabilities. Prosecutors say the pair lured the victim to a grocery-store lot, doused him with a flammable liquid and set him on fire. The man survived but continues to live with life-altering injuries.
How prosecutors say the attack unfolded
According to prosecutors, Hunter texted the victim promises of reconciliation to lure him to a WinCo Foods parking lot on July 10, 2021, where Read then doused and ignited him with a flammable liquid, as reported by FOX40. The prosecution argued that the ambush was carefully planned and met the legal definition of torture. After deliberations, jurors agreed, returning guilty verdicts on both premeditated attempted murder and torture. Both defendants now face a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 10, 2026, in Department 33 of the Sacramento Superior Court.
Victim's injuries and recovery
Prosecutors told the court the victim suffered "third-degree burns over about 70% of his body" and spent more than four months in the hospital undergoing lifesaving procedures, including a permanent tracheotomy and repeated skin grafts. Jurors found that Read inflicted great bodily injury on the victim, and prosecutors say the man continues to live with permanent disabilities. Those details were outlined by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office and reported by FOX40.
Legal notes
Hunter and Read were convicted of premeditated attempted murder and torture. Prosecutors told jurors the two had been friends and at times involved in a relationship, a dynamic that added a layer of betrayal to the already harrowing case. Prosecutors also allege Hunter has a prior strike conviction for burglary, which could be an aggravating factor at sentencing. If the court imposes the maximum penalties, the convictions carry the possibility of life behind bars for both defendants.
What's next
Sentencing is set for April 10, 2026, at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse. The attack took place in the parking lot of a busy WinCo Foods store, a location that was also the site of a separate suspected arson reported in 2024, according to a suspected WinCo arson report. We will update with courtroom coverage and public records after the hearing.
