Ala. man found guilty of setting his wife on fire over 'marital issues'

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (TCD) -- A 49-year-old man was recently found guilty of trying to kill his wife by setting her on fire in 2019.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, in February 2019, Johnnie Gray and his wife got into a dispute regarding "marital issues." Gray then reportedly "threatened to burn her alive."

The victim reportedly tried to get a bottle of rubbing alcohol out of Gray’s sight, but he grabbed another bottle and "began dousing her with it." The District Attorney’s Office said he grabbed a lighter and set her on fire.

As a result, the victim reportedly had to be hospitalized for several months due to severe burns to her upper body. According to the District Attorney’s Office, her injuries caused other health problems that have "adversely impacted her quality of life."

Gray is scheduled to be sentenced March 6 and could face 10 to 99 years or life in prison, the District Attorney’s Office said.

The guilty verdict was announced by the District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and although authorities requested that Gray be taken into custody, he remains out on bond.

District Attorney Daryl Bailey said, "I want to commend the victim for the strength and courage she displayed while testifying. It couldn’t have been easy for her to relive this horrific, life-altering moment or to face the man who inflicted such incomprehensible physical and psychological pain upon her."

Bailey continued, "What Johnnie Gray did to his wife, someone he vowed to love and care for, was monstrous. There is no question that my office will ask that this evil man be sentenced to spend the remainder of his life in prison."

MORE:

• Johnnie Gray Found Guilty of Attempting to Murder His Wife by Setting Her On Fire — Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office