Husband sprays wife with alcohol before setting her on fire

PONTIAC (FOX 2) - A Pontiac man rushed his wife to the hospital with burns saying she accidentally poured alcohol on herself, then dropped a lit cigarette.

Detectives say James Montery Montgomery actually sprayed his wife with brandy then flicked his lighter at her, to set her on fire on Jan. 17 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.   

Deputies spoke to the medical staff at the hospital and the 53-year-old woman's body was over 45 percent covered with second-degree burns and because of that she was transported to Detroit's receiving Hospital, in critical condition.  Walton said her injuries are life-threatening.

The prosecutor's office who charged Montgomery with assault with intent to murder.  

"He poured brandy on her and lit her on fire after an argument," said Paul Walton, Oakland County assistant prosecutor. "I don't know what substance he used but he did set her on fire."

Walton says that in 2018, 85% of all murders in Oakland County started from a domestic assault.

Montgomery remains in the Oakland County Jail, not able to post his $1 million cash bond. His next court date will be on January 29th. If convicted, he's looking it up to life in prison.