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Ohio Woman Set Ablaze, Unlikely To Survive, Ex-Boyfriend Gets 11 Years, His Lawyers Block Her From Testifying

By Tito Ojo-Medubi
Published on: 19:19 PST, Dec 15, 2016

Warning: Disturbing Content

An Ohio woman has been recounting how her ex-boyfriend doused her with gasoline and set her ablaze after an argument, according to the Daily Mail.

Judy Malinowski, 33, was denied the chance to testify against her former boyfriend, Michael Slager, 41, after he agreed to no contest charges of felonious assault, aggravated arson, and possession of criminal tools in the attack that took place in August last year. Malinowski was being prepped for her 52nd surgery, when a Columbus judge found her former boyfriend guilty and handed him a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison.

Slager’s attorneys were bent on keeping the 33-year-old woman’s testimony off-record. In case she died, the testimony would have been entered into a murder trial. Now, there would not be any sworn testimony from her to use in court, in case of a homicide in the future. Malinowski’s mother now saddled with taking care of her grandchildren, ages nine and 12 said it was a massive disappointment for her daughter.

“She’s going to be disappointed. She’s been trying to back off of her pain meds so that she could testify. She really wanted to.”

Prosecutors had expected the 33-year-old to testify from the Ohio State University Hospital. The video would have been used both in present and future court proceedings. Robert Krapenc, an attorney for Slager, called it “a tactical decision,” adding that his client’s no-contest plea meant that his defendant did not admit guilt, but conceded to the case as it was presented by prosecuting lawyers.

However, all this has not stopped the mother-of-two from talking about her ordeal.

Malinowski, who has spent over 16 months in hospital, granted an interview to media sources from her bed at the Wexner Medical Center, Ohio. She said she wanted to speak in court to prove that she was no longer afraid of Slager, but her testimony was blocked. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old said she wanted to go ahead with her story and speak out against domestic violence.

Judy whose burns cover 80 percent of her body recalled the moment Michael emptied gasoline over her body during an argument at a Gahanna Speedway gas station on August 2, 2015. She is still haunted by the evil look in his eyes.

“I never knew that a human being could be so evil. He just stood there and did nothing.”

Slager had insisted that the incident was an accident, adding that it occurred when he tried to light a cigarette for his former girlfriend. According to the Daily Mail, his attorney buttressed his claim, revealing that his client was in love with Judy and had even injured himself when he tried to extinguish the flames.

The presiding judge rejected the 41-year-old man’s version of events, highlighting his lengthy history of domestic violence, saying that there really were no words to describe someone like him.

“I’ve seen your record. I know you have a history of domestic violence. You have a history of menacing. You’ve done all these things that show what a despicable individual you are. There’s nothing to say to a person like you. You really do seem like one of those people who have no soul.”

The horrific attack cost Judy Malinsowki two fingers and both ears. She still has gaping wounds in her buttocks and backs that cannot be grafted because they cannot heal. She is unable to lie on her stomach because it is impossible to breathe. In addition, she cannot walk and speaks in a whisper because her trachea was damaged in the fire.

Judy, a cancer survivor and recovering opiate addict said she did not wish any human being in the pain she was presently going through. She said her former boyfriend got off easy and warned other domestic violence victims to “get help and run.” Malinsowki is trying to get “Judy’s Law” passed, a legislation that would up the maximum sentence for aggravated arson.

Her family plans to contact Governor John Kaisch soon.

Judy Malinowski has been told by doctors it is unlikely she would survive her injuries.

[Featured Image by Hideto111/ThinkStock]

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