Family, friends say ‘justice needs to be served’ after Porterville woman set on fire

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — A Porterville man pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday, related to accusations he set his wife on fire.

Sean Hofmann is charged with five counts, including torture and arson causing great bodily injury.

The judge gave him a no-contact order, instructing him to maintain a 100-foot distance from his wife.

Outside the Tulare County Courthouse, Sheena Hofmann’s friends and family wore purple and held up signs protesting domestic violence.

“I knew that they argued, but what couple doesn’t argue? And I wasn’t aware that it was like this,” Sheena’s long-time friend Lisa Flowers said.

Flowers and Hofmann’s children are married. Flowers says she was hosting a movie night for their shared family on Friday when Sheena’s son got an alarming call.

“And then 10-15 minutes later, I got a call from him saying ‘he set her on fire,’” Flowers said.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded to that call.

“At roughly 5:30 in the evening, we got a call from a woman saying that her daughter was on fire,” Lt. Randall Gunderman said.

Deputies arrested Sean Hofmann on attempted murder and arson causing great bodily injury charges.

This district attorney’s office increased those charges on Tuesday. He is now charged with attempted murder, torture, domestic violence, mayhem, and arson, causing great bodily injury.

The judge says he was out on bail during the incident.

“Long-time victims of domestic violence, they’re apprehensive to report,” Gunderman said. “It’s obvious in this case that there was a history, and if these things go unreported, obviously, they’re just going to get worse.”

Gunderman says his office has had run-ins with the couple in the past, but never anything this extreme.

“Justice needs to be served for her. Her life will forever be altered. She’s gonna be scarred forever. This is not something she can just get past,” Flowers said.

Flowers is herself a survivor of domestic violence. Her group’s message to the community is ‘love doesn’t hurt.’

Sheena is currently in critical condition, and Sean will return to court on Oct. 23 and 27.