Georgia Man Attempts to Light his Wife on Fire

According to reports out of Cobb County, a man has been arrested for aggravated assault and child cruelty after allegedly covering his wife in light fluid and attempting to light her on fire in front of their three grandchildren.

Authorities reported that the man has struggled with a crack cocaine addition and was heavily under the influence at the time. He has been denied bond.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the offense of aggravated assault in today's post.

Aggravated Assault in Georgia

Georgia Law defines aggravated assault in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §16-5-21 as:

A person commits the offense of aggravated assault when he or she assaults:

• With intent to murder, to rape, or to rob;
• With a deadly weapon or with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury;
• With any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in strangulation; or
• Without legal justification by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle toward a person or persons.

In order to be convicted of aggravated assault in the state of Georgia, the State must demonstrate that the suspect is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. With regards to assault, there must be a demonstration of violence coupled with an apparent present ability to inflict an injury that causes a person to fear that they will receive an immediate violent injury.

Aggravated assault is classified as a felony offense in the state of Georgia. The penalty for an aggravated assault conviction is a prison term between one to twenty years.

Practice Note

Contact our offices today if you or a loved one has been arrested for a crime in Georgia. We can help you with your case now.