Charges Dropped Against Twin Cities Lawyer

HASTINGS (AP) — Charges of assault and arson have been dismissed against a suspended Minnesota lawyer accused of setting his longtime girlfriend on fire as she slept in his Burnsville condominium.

The Dakota County Attorney's office said Monday that 61-year-old David Gherity "has a substantiated alibi."

Gherity has maintained he was at work when the woman was attacked on Feb. 9 and said there was video from his office and electronic surveillance from the condo to prove it.

When firefighters arrived at the condo, the woman was sitting, on fire, at a table. She lost an ear and suffered burns to her head, face, neck, legs and one hand.

Gherity's attorney, Robert D. Miller, tells the Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1pBRrKr ) his client is "elated" that the charges were dropped.

The incident remains under investigation.