Men plead not guilty to setting woman on fire
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The defendants, Franklin De La Cruz, 26, Luiz Gonzalez, 19, and Ruben Pimentel, 32, stood shackled and under heavy guard before General Sessions Judge Larry Ross Tuesday morning as they each entered not guilty pleas to charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson – a combination of charges which could cost them each 50 years in prison.
Lawmen carefully screened anyone coming into the courtroom, allowing only persons with cases inside during the short arraignment. A convoy of deputies waited outside to transport the suspects back to jail separately.
Meanwhile, their alleged victim, Gina Thompson, 35, remained in critical condition in the burn unit of Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga suffering burns to 80 percent of her body.
The three are charged with setting Thompson on fire while she slept inside a trailer at Measels Terrace View Estates shortly after midnight Saturday morning. Investigators believe the men walked into the residence, poured gas on the sleeping woman and then set her on fire with a lighter. The burning victim ran from the trailer, leaving behind a trail of blood which spanned 300 yards before she was able to get help.
Investigators say the suspects, all of whom hail from New York, were acquaintances of the victim. Lawmen noted the victim’s family, who was contacted the morning of the crime, apparently all hail from Maryland and that Thompson had been living here for a short period.
As for motive, lawmen suspect the men were angry because they believed Thompson had either taken or hidden their drugs. However, investigators have still be unable to talk to Thompson because of her grave condition.
Prosecutors say they intend to seek the maximum penalty against the men, which would be 50 years under the current charges. Should Thompson die, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
The preliminary appearance for the three lasted less than five minutes Tuesday as they entered not guilty pleas and were assigned attorneys. De La Cruz and Gonzalez communicated through a translator. Pimentel told the court he spoke English.
All three men were assigned experienced attorneys with Pimentel being assigned the public defender’s office of Dan Bryant, De La Cruz receiving an assignment of Robert Newman and Gonzalez assigned Keith Smartt.
A preliminary hearing will be held Oct. 14 as prosecutors noted this is a complicated case for which they needed ample preparation time. All three men remain held under $500,000 bonds.