Charges Dropped Because Defendant Has Substantiated Alibi

HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) — Charges of assault and arson have been dismissed against a suspended Minnesota lawyer accused of setting his longtime girlfriend on fire as she slept in his Burnsville condominium.

The Dakota County Attorney's office said Monday that 61-year-old David Gherity "has a substantiated alibi."

Gherity has maintained he was at work when the woman was attacked on Feb. 9 and said there was video from his office and electronic surveillance from the condo to prove it.

When firefighters arrived at the condo, the woman was sitting, on fire, at a table. She lost an ear and suffered burns to her head, face, neck, legs and one hand.

Gherity's attorney, Robert D. Miller, tells the Star Tribune his client is "elated" that the charges were dropped.

The incident remains under investigation.