UCSD

Man Was Out on Bail When He Set Girlfriend on Fire: DA

An South California Oceanside man allegedly set his girlfriend on fire while out on bail, awaiting his sentencing for violence on two police officers, a prosecutor said.

Ricardo Gonzalez, 33, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder during his arraignment Wednesday.

Deputy District Attorney Marnie Layon said on Friday evening, Gonzalez and his girlfriend got into a fight in the front yard of an Oceanside home.

Soon, the argument turned physical, and Gonzalez is accused of grabbing a can of gasoline and drenching his girlfriend with the liquid.

He then set her on fire using a lighter, Layon said.

The incident happened after Gonzalez had pleaded guilty to violence on an officer in two separate cases. He was out on bail as he awaited his sentencing for those convictions.

On Wednesday, the judge ordered Gonzalez be held on a $1 million bail for the attempted murder charge, but then he granted no bail for the violence on a police officer incidents.

Gonzalez will remain in jail until his sentencing, when he may get prison time.

His public defender declined to speak to the media, only saying that his client is not guilty of the attempted murder allegations.

Gonzalez’s girlfriend was rushed to UCSD with significant burns; she is expected to survive.
 

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