A woman who set a pole dancer on fire last year in a Tarzana bar was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday, according to ABC News - Los Angeles. The defendant, Rianne Theriault-Odom, originally wanted to postpone the sentencing in Van Nuys Superior Court because she claimed that she was emotionally unstable for the sentence and had requested a psychiatrist. However, Superior Court Judge Susan Speer turned down the request to postpone the sentencing.
Prosecutors say that the two woman got into an argument outside of Babes & Beer bar in February 2009, where the victim, Roberta Santo-Busby, worked as a dancer. Ms. Theriault-Odom took a soda can filled with gasoline and through it at Ms. Busby before setting her on fire. Ms. Theriault-Odom was convicted of aggravated mayhem and torture in connection with the incident, but a jury actually aquitted her of an attempted murder charge.
Some of Ms. Theriault-Odom's friends told reporters that the woman has had a history of emotional problems and having a short temper.
"It's a tragedy for everyone. She's got a family, she's got four beautiful sons who she hasn't seen in over a year and may never see again," Ms. Theriault-Odom's Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Leni Jacobs told ABC News.
Over a year after the incident, the district attorney still believes that Ms. Theriault-Odom did not act alone in this crime. Investigators are still deciding whether a man that accompanied Ms. Theriault-Odom the night of the incident, should also be charged with a crime.
Related Resources:
- Types of Sentences - Criminal Law (FindLaw)
- Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge (FindLaw)
- Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Directory (FindLaw)
