Preliminary Hearing Held For Man Accused Of Setting Girlfriend On Fire
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "Every day is a struggle but I'm doing better and I'll get through this."
That's what Maria Redman told KDKA's Harold Hayes after a preliminary hearing for her former boyfriend, Clinton Cohen.
Cohen was ordered to stand trial on charges including criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault and arson.
She tearfully testified Monday that February, in her Springdale apartment, Cohen doused her with perfume and set the perfume -- and her -- on fire after an argument in which he accused her of seeing someone else.
She sustained burns over 32 percent of her body including her face, arms chest and back. She was in the hospital for nine days.
As she talked about her injuries, the burns to her chest and arms were visible.
"It was difficult going through this this morning. But it's doing better, it's doing good," Redman said. "But like I said, every day is a struggle and I have the best family, the best friends and the best supporters with everybody helping me. I just want to say thank you to you all who have been there."
She also testified that her 3-month-old daughter was held out of a second story window by Cohen during the argument.
In court she testified that Cohen said, "That baby isn't mine, I don't care."
Eventually though, he brought the baby back inside.
Cohen's lawyer said he hasn't decided how the case will proceed.
"It's just a matter of going forward, figuring out whether or not it's going to be a trial issue or whether this matter could be settled with a negotiated plea," said defense attorney Frank Walker.
Walker also objected when District Judge David Sosovicka ordered him to remain in jail under a $1 million straight bond, calling him a danger to society.
"I think that's a bit punitive," said Walker. "Essentially you want to confirm that the person is going to be available at trial whether or not he's a danger to society. One million? I think that's a bit punitive at this point but that's something that we can address at the Common Pleas level."
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