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Police say Moundsville man tried to set wife on fire

MOUNDSVILLE — A Moundsville man faces an attempted murder charge after allegedly trying to light his wife on fire during a domestic dispute.

Shamus Woods, 42, was placed in handcuffs within minutes of police arriving at the couple’s Second Street home in response to a complaint from a neighbor, according to a criminal complaint.

When police arrived, they noted Woods had bleeding wounds, which Woods claimed were from punching a television. He was immediately detained while police searched the scene, and found in his wife sobbing on the floor of their bedroom, according to the complaint.

Several dressers lay smashed and blocking the doorway, police said, and the woman told investigators that Woods dumped lighter fluid on her after an argument broke out over his refusal to assist her at work. In the bedroom, a pair of charred pants were located, as well as a can of lighter fluid, according to the complaint.

At West Virginia University Reynolds Memorial Hospital, the woman allegedly told police Woods went drinking with friends rather than help her at work, which led to her telling him to get out of the house. The argument reportedly escalated, with Woods destroying items in the house.

Woods’ wife told police she shoved him to get him out of the room, leading him to shove her to the ground, douse her with fuel and light her shirt on fire, before holding a knife to her ear, the complaint states.

Woods allegedly continued attempting to ignite her clothing as she put out the flames. He had pinned her against a wall and was choking her while making violent threats when police arrived, the complaint states.

Police noted the woman to have sustained several injuries to her neck, arms and legs.

Woods reportedly told police he had threatened to burn the house down during the argument to frighten her into leaving him alone, but he denied actually igniting anything.

Woods was charged with attempted murder, first-degree arson and third-offense domestic battery. He is currently lodged at the Northern Regional Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, awaiting his June 2 preliminary hearing.

Woods was previously arrested in May 2013 and in January and May of 2014 for domestic battery.

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