Man who poured gasoline on girlfriend pleads ‘no contest.’

Yager appears in 27th Circuit Court Monday, April 19, via Zoom video conferencing.

Judge: ‘This is one of the most horrific things I’ve heard of.’

Man who poured gasoline on girlfriend pleads ‘no contest.’

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

#OceanaCountyCrime

HART — A 32-year-old Shelby man who dumped gasoline on his girlfriend and threatened to burn her, Dec. 22, 2019 at his residence in the Village of Shelby pleaded “no contest” to assault with a dangerous weapon Monday, April 19, in 27th Circuit Court.

Derrick Andrew Yager, of 611 Harvey St., faces up to one year in jail and two years of probation.

“This is one of the most horrific things I’ve heard of,” said Judge Robert D. Springstead. “I don’t know if I will accept the plea agreement.”

Yager underwent a psychological exam and was deemed competent to proceed. Judge Springstead said he will review Yager’s mental health findings at the time of his sentencing, which is June 14 at 9:20 a.m.

“There is clearly a mental health aspect to this matter,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. “He did not light anyone on fire. He threw what we believe to be gasoline or something similar to it on her and made statements about both of them burning.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 12-24 months.

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