Violent crime charges can occur after numerous incidents, and assault is a common charge in and around the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Individuals might be charged with assault after a disagreement of any type gets physical, and assault allegations can even be levied when someone was not the instigator of a fight. In some cases, assault allegations occur even when someone never touched the other person.
One recent case involves a bizarre set of circumstances. According to law enforcement, the case involves a woman who was seeking money from a man. Reports indicate that the woman approached the man as he was getting into his car.
When the man did not provide the woman with the money she requested, she allegedly took physical action against the man. Police report that she is accused of taking a gas can that was nearby and pouring gasoline on the man. After dousing the man with fuel, she reportedly lit him on fire using a lighter.
The man reportedly suffered severe burns on the upper part of his body. The woman was arrested under a warrant issued for first-degree assault charges. Her bond was set at $100,000.
When things aren’t going your way, you can begin to feel desperate. When people are not cooperating with your needs or wishes, you might feel frustrated. For many, physical acting out is a natural reaction to such feelings, but any physical action that might be seen as an assault can land you in legal trouble. While refraining from such action is the best defense, if you find yourself facing assault charges, a proactive criminal defense strategy is essential to protecting your future freedom.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “St. Louis County woman charged with setting man on fire after he refused to give her money,” Nicholas J. C. Pistor, Aug. 18, 2015
