Judy Malinowski, a Central Ohio woman who was severely burned by her ex-boyfriend and inspired new sentencing legislation, has died. She was 33.
After her ex-boyfriend Michael Slager doused her in gasoline and set her on fire, Malinowski spent nearly two years in the hospital and underwent more than 50 surgeries.
County prosecutor Ron O'Brien says that, given her injuries, Malinowskis death was not unexpected.
"It was just a matter of time of how long either the doctors or her mother's prayers were going to enable her to survive," O'Brien says.
Two months ago, O'Brien received permission from a local judge to gather Millinowski's deposition via video from her hospital bed. It will now be used by O'Brien to pursues murder charges against Slager.
In 2015, Slager was charge with aggravated arson and sentenced to the maximum of 11 years in prison.
Legislation inspired by Malinowski would tack on an additional six years in cases where the victim has been set on fire and caused significant damage.
HB 63, nicknamed Judy's Law, was passed unanimously by the Ohio House in May. On Tuesday, it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and will head to the Senate floor for a vote next Wednesday.
