Burnsville Attorney Accused Of Setting Girlfriend On Fire

HASTINGS (AP) — An attorney is accused of setting his girlfriend on fire in his Burnsville condominium.

Sixty-year-old David Gherity is charged with first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree arson.

According to the complaint, the woman lost an ear in the Feb. 9 fire and also suffered burns to her scalp, face, neck, legs and one hand. She remains in the burn unit at HCMC.

The complaint says an analysis of the woman's clothes found alcohol for drinking, lotion "and possibly hair spray and fingernail polish remover." The woman told police she does not use hair spray, nail polish or remover.

Gherity remains in jail with bail set at $50,000, with conditions. Defense attorney Robert Miller believes his client will be vindicated.