VA Man Who Attacked Woman With Urn Of Boiling Water Found Guilty By DC Jury

SPRINGFIELD, VA — A Springfield man was found guilty of aggravated assault and other charges for pouring boiling liquid onto a woman who had broken off her relationship with him, prosecutors said Thursday.

Tesfay Teshale, 51, was found guilty Wednesday by a jury in D.C. Superior Court of aggravated assault while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for an assault that occurred in June 2019.

The woman suffered second-degree burns on her body from the man pouring boiling liquid on her, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Teshale faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27.

According to court records, Teshale and the woman had dated. When the woman decided to break off the relationship, Teshale stalked, harassed and assaulted her “because he could not handle the rejection,” prosecutors said.

On June 14, 2019, Teshale cornered the woman in D.C., punched her multiple times in the face, knocked her down, and, while she was down, poured an urn of boiling liquid onto her, according to prosecutors. Teshale then left her there, bleeding, badly burned, and in extreme pain, the U.S. attorney's office said.

The woman was able to call for help and District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel took her to a hospital where she was treated for contusions, abrasions and bruises to her face, as well as second-degree burns, according to prosecutors.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or who knows of someone experiencing domestic violence can seek help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.