MAN INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO SET GIRLFRIEND ON FIRE AFTER POURING LIGHTER FLUID ON HER

Posted on 4/24/2020

Defendant: Mark Allen Edwards

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “This man beat, strangled, and poured lighter fluid on his girlfriend before attempting to set her on fire.”  Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Mark Allen Edwards, age 48, for one count Aggravated Arson with Specification (F-1), one count Attempted Aggravated Arson (F-3), one count Domestic Violence (F-3), one count Abduction (F-3), and one count Possession of Criminal Tools  (F-5), for a total of five counts, in connection to a domestic violence incident that took place in a residence in the 2400 block of Shore Boulevard East on the southeast side of Columbus on April 15^th, 2020.  After police arrived at the apartment, they requested fire investigators to respond to the crime scene.  “It is alleged in the indictment that Edwards poured lighter fluid on his girlfriend and attempted to ignite her a couple of times,” O’Brien stated.  The Repeat Violent Offender Specification in the Aggravated Arson count is based on Edward’s September 2004 conviction for Voluntary Manslaughter.  The basis for the enhanced (F-3) Domestic Violence count is that Edwards has prior convictions of Negligent Assault and/or Domestic Violence.  O’Brien commended both the Columbus Police and Fire Departments for their investigation of this case.  Arraignment for Edwards will be set for next Wednesday, April 29^th, 2020, at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2B at 345 S. High Street in downtown Columbus.