Commonwealth v. H.C.

The complainant testified that after starting a fight, H.C. shoved her face into a pot of boiling grease. The complainant suffered serious second degree burns on her face and scalp, requiring multiple skin grafts. If convicted, H.C. would have received a mandatory minimum of 10 to 20 years in jail due to this case being a “second strike.” At trial, the defense argued that H.C. lacked the requisite criminal intent needed to sustain a conviction. H.C. was found not guilty of this assault charge in Philadelphia.