The Farmington Hills man who set a woman on fire in 2019 has been sentenced to 40-80 years in prison. The dispute was said to have been over money.

A 67-year-old man from Farmington Hills is going to spend at least 40 years in prison for setting a woman on fire.

Neither her, or her son would know that months later theyd deal with the recovery in the era of COVID-19. With this Pandemic, its put a hold on a lot of things, said Burn Victim, Dorothy Spinella. Its been a turbulent transition back into a live of Normalcy, Not only for Burn Victim Dorothy Spinella, but her son Bryan as well. Taking care of a burn victim and thats something new and it really gave me a lot of resources when we got out of the hospital because of the pandemic, said Dorothys son, Bryan Morrissey. If youd like to help Dorothy and Bryan and they try to bounce back from this, you can click this link here.

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – William Helmer is facing serious charges. He’s accused of setting Dorothy Spinella on fire, burning 40 percent of her body, as she left as she left her Redford Township job in November. On Tuesday, Helmer appeared briefly in court via video for a probable cause conference. “I think we need to have another conversation, unless you think that’s futile at this point,” the judge said to Helmer’s defense. The prosecutor was set to try to convince the judge that Helmer should stay in jail for a while longer.

William Gary Helmer appeared emotionless in court Thursday, showing no remorse after allegedly setting a 63-year-old woman on fire as she left her Redford Township job. Dorothy Spinella was set on fire Saturday outside a Coney Island restaurant in the 25800 block of 7 Mile Road. Morrissey, Spinellas only child, watched as Helmer, whos also known as Rusty, sat waiting for the legal consequences of what hes accused of doing to be over. However, until his next court appearance, hell remain locked in a cell. His next court appearance is Dec. 3.

A Farmington Hills man is charged with assault with intent to murder after a 62-year-old woman was set on fire Saturday outside a Coney Island restaurant in Redford Township. The Prosecutors Office said William Gary Helmer, 63, was acquainted with the victim, who is also a Farmington Hills resident. He is charged with one count of assault with intent to murder and aggravated assault. This Rusty guy put my mom in critical and tried to murder her with fire, Spinellas son, Bryan Morrissey said. Everybody send as many prayers as you can for her shes going to need them, Morrissey said.

Police arrested a man they said set fire to a 63-year-old woman as she left work. This Rusty guy put my mom in critical and tried to murder her with fire, Spinellas son, Bryan Morrissey said. Im going to try to keep her burns from discouraging my mother, Morrissey said. Hes killed people inside. Hes killed people outside of the prison.