Man Pleads Guilty to Setting Girlfriend on Fire

Submitted by DA Gerald Leone's office:

A Stoneham man pleaded guilty to charges that he set his girlfriend on fire, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Edouard Pierre-Charles, 28, of Stoneham, pleaded guilty today to charges of mayhem, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed assault with the intent to murder, and resisting arrest. The commonwealth recommended the defendant be sentenced to 10-12 years in state prison with 15 years of probation to run concurrent with the committed sentence and the following conditions: defendant must stay away and not contact the victim, her mother or her aunt, complete a certified batterers program, undergo a mental health evaluation and compete all follow up treatment, sign all releases so probation can monitor mental health treatment, not use drugs or alcohol, and random screens for drugs and alcohol. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maureen Hogan sentenced the defendant to eight to 10 years in state prison followed by 15 years of probation with all of the conditions recommended by the commonwealth.

“This defendant has now admitted to engaging in a terribly troubling act of domestic violence by pouring a flammable substance over his then girlfriend and intentionally setting her on fire, leaving the victim seriously injured and permanently scarred both emotionally and physically,” Leone said. “We commend the for their work on this case and the victim for her courage throughout the legal process.”

According to authorities, at approximately 11:30 pm, on June 18, 2011, Marlborough police responded to Liberty Street in Marlborough for reports of a woman on fire. Upon arrival, officers observed the female victim in the street, wrapped in a blanket, screaming. The victim was still burning in places on her body when police arrived. She was transported to UMass WorcesterHospital where she was treated for her burns. The victim suffered second and third degree burns to her back, forearms, legs and hands. The severity of the victim’s injuries has left her scarred.

Authorities immediately began an investigation into the incident. It was determined that the defendant poured nail polish remover over the victim and set her on fire with a lighter inside the victim’s home.

At approximately noon on June 19, 2011, Marlborough police responded to a residence inMarlborough where they learned the defendant was hiding. After a brief struggle, the defendant was arrested and taken into custody. He was arraigned in Marlborough District Court on June 20, 2011, where Judge Sarah Singer ordered him held without bail. He was indicted by a Middlesex grand jury on Sept. 15, 2011, and arraigned on Sept. 27, 2011, where Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered the defendant held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. On Sept. 29, 2011, Judge Bruce Henry ordered the defendant held without bail following a dangerousness hearing.  

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Assistant District Attorney Darina Belot and Assistant District Attorney Ryan Sullivan. The victim witness advocate is Kristin Dagnelli. This case was investigated by the Marlborough Police Department.