Woman Sets Boyfriend Aflame Over Lost Car Keys
In any argument, especially one between two people involved in a romantic relationship, there seems to be one individual who simply has to get the last word in or get the upper hand. Anyone looking to emerge victorious from any argument can consider the example provided by Pamela Rozelle of Camden, New Jersey, who got the upper-hand on her boyfriend Richard King, Jr., by reportedly using a cigarette to light his blanket on fire while he was in the midst of an alcohol-induced slumber (according to reports both parties had been drinking throughout the day). According to reports, Rozelle was enraged that she could not find her car keys and that King would not wake up to help her find them. Needless to say, he woke up when he found out that he was being burned alive and ran out into the snow to douse the flames. He suffered severe burns but is not in critical condition. Authorities surprisingly did not buy Rozelle’s story that she accidentally dropped the cigarette on King, and she has been charged with arson and assault.
Rozelle is probably fortunate that she is not charged with a more serious offense, such as aggravated assault or some form of homicide given that she allegedly tried to turn her boyfriend into the Human Torch. Part of the reason that she is not being charged more aggressively may actually have to do with the fact that she was under the influence of alcohol at the time the act occurred. While being intoxicated is ordinarily no defense to a crime in Tennessee or any other state, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can serve as a defense if the intoxication serves to negate a requisite mental state set forth in the definition of the offense. For example, intoxication may serve in some situations to enable the Defendant to prove that a criminal act such as a killing was not intentional or knowing. Such a defense would allow a defendant to possibly avoid a first- or second-degree murder charge and serve a much shorter sentence if convicted of something like voluntary manslaughter. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today to discuss your case and any possible defenses.
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