Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Jonathon E. White of City of Tonawanda has been arraigned by State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns on an indictment charging him with one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the First Degree, both Class “B” felonies. The defendant was arraigned this morning at ECMC.

It is alleged that on December 17, 2018, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the defendant lured his former girlfriend to a secluded area outside a Tim Hortons restaurant on Niagara Street in the City of Tonawanda. The defendant is accused of dousing the victim with an accelerant and setting her on fire.

The victim suffered extensive burns to her face, head, and hands. She has undergone multiple surgeries and remains hospitalized at ECMC in the Burn Unit.

The defendant was also burned in the attack, but his injuries were less severe. He remains hospitalized on the secure floor of ECMC under the supervision of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.

White is scheduled to return on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 for motion argument.

If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the City of Tonawanda Police and Fire Departments for their rapid response to the attack and for preserving critical evidence at the scene as well as the Erie County Sheriff’s Fire Investigation Unit for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Schnirel of the DA’s Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan Haggerty of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.