Man allegedly doused former colleagues with petrol and set them on fire

DETROIT (AP) – Prosecutors announced Wednesday that they have filed charges against a Detroit man accused of setting fire to two former co-workers. He faces several counts, including assault with intent to murder.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Coyle said the man was fired from his job at a printing company for leaving threatening notes to two female co-workers, the Detroit Free Press reported. On Monday, he returned to the company and found the two women sitting in a car, which he doused with gasoline and set on fire, prosecutors said.

The women suffered severe burns and were in serious condition on Tuesday, the Free Press reported.

A witness chased the man and detained him until police arrived, White said.

The man told a judge Wednesday he would only speak to Fox News and one other person who was not named, the Free Press reported. The man declined legal representation and the judge ordered him detained in the Wayne County Jail. The man left the hearing using a curse, the Free Press reported.

Jessica Cheaib, a criminal defense attorney who was on call during the man's arraignment, declined to comment because the man had not hired her.

Coyle said the man is on probation for assault. He is accused of holding a butcher knife to a man's throat and attempting to hit him in the head with a bicycle chain.

The Associated Press is not naming the man because he does not have a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.