CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado man is charged with throwing gas on another man and setting him on fire, causing severe burns.
Court records say 34-year-old Michael Scavarda of Canon City told investigators he was mad at 40-year-old Jason Crowder for telling his girlfriend that he was cheating on her.
The Pueblo Chieftain reports Scavarda was charged Thursday with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and fourth-degree arson for the March 19 attack. He did not enter a plea.
Prosecutors allege Scavarda woke Crowder as he slept in the camper of a pickup truck, threw a cup of gasoline on him and set him on fire. Public defender Jonah Wexler argued a space heater started the fire.
Crowder's mother tells the Chieftain that her son suffered burns on 40 percent of his body.
Scavarda remains jailed with his bail set at $75,000 cash.
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