Ex-Convict Sentenced 40-year Imprisonment after Setting a Female Ablaze

A 67-year-old Michigan ex-convict will be imprisoned for the remainder of his life after dousing a female acquaintance in petrol and lighting her on fire, causing burns to more than 40% of her body.

This week, William Helmer found out what would happen to him in the attack on Dorothy Spinella. When it came time to sentence him, the judge did not hold back.

“After sitting through your trial, viewing the photographs, observing the psychological effect you’ve had on the victim, I’ve come to one conclusion,” said Judge Shannon Walker.

The incident took place at 8:07 p.m. on November 9, 2019. People in the Redford, Michigan, suburb of 25810 block of Seven Mile Road noticed a policeman standing next to a Coney Island restaurant. They reported that a woman was lying on the ground, smoking, and had severe burns, according to the prosecution.

Authorities said that Helmer was charged with one count each of aggravated assault and assault with intent to murder after being apprehended a few days later.
With a criminal past stretching back to the 1970s, Helmer was granted parole in 2018 after being released from prison in 2017.

“You are a cold-blooded human being, and there is no justification for your actions.” Judge Walker said during the trial. “It upsets me to even think about it. It’s very upsetting that someone could do this to another human being,” said the victim Dorothy Spinella.

The prosecutors demanded a 75-year imprisonment but Judge granted him a 40-year imprisonment sentence. The sentence is enough to keep him in jail for the rest of his life.