TUPELO, Miss. — Authorities say a recent attack in north Mississippi on a woman who was beaten, bound and set on fire has renewed discussions on sentences for assault crimes.
Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that investigators believe the woman's assailants thought she was dead.
Johnson says had she died, the suspects could have been charged with murder, or possibly capital murder. However, Johnson says since the woman was able to roll the fire out and somehow make her way to a nearby house, the suspects received lesser charges.
The suspects are being held in the county jail.
District Attorney Trent Kelly said he and other prosecutors are talking with legislators about looking at penalties for murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault.
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