Back in February we reported that a woman was convicted of setting a bikini dancer on fire during a feud. Last week that woman, 28-year-old Rianne Theriault-Odom, was sentenced to life in prison in Van Nuys Superior Court.

In attendance at the hearing was the victim, Roberta Santo-Busby, who tearfully asked the judge to issue the maximum sentence. Busby suffered severe burn injuries over 40% of her body, spent five months in the hospital, and had to undergo 30 painful skin grafts.

Theriault-Odom asked for a psychiatrist, claiming she wasn’t emotionally stable enough for prison, but the judge, Superior Court Judge Susan Speer, turned down her request to postpone the sentencing.

Speer said the crime involved “great violence, great bodily injury, disclosing an exceptionally high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness.”

The attack took place on February 5, 2009. Theriault-Odom and Busby got into an argument outside the Babes & Beer bar in Tarzana. As the argument escalated, Theriault-Odom doused Busby, a dancer at the club, with gasoline and then set her on fire. According ABC 7 news, Theriault-Odom had been denied a job as a dancer at the club.

Violent attacks like this warrant serious charges and even stricter penalties. If you have been accused of a violent crime, such as mayhem, torture, or aggravated assault, it’s crucial to speak with a criminal defense lawyer right away. You can trust your case will be aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the district attorney’s office, so it’s important to equip yourself with an equally tough defense. At Okabe & Haushalter, we can ensure your case is given the attention and dedication it deserves, and that you are aggressively defended from the beginning stages of your case until the very end.

If you are interested in arranging a consultation with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at our office to discuss your charges, please contact Okabe & Haushalter today at (310) 543-7708!

Following accusations that she doused a bikini dancer in gasoline and then lit her on fire, a Los Angeles woman has been convicted of aggravated mayhem and torture.

Rianne Theriault-Odom faces life in prison after a Los Angeles jury found her guilty of the charges. She was also charged with attempted murder but was acquitted.

According to prosecutors Theriault-Odom and the victim, Roberta Dos Santos Busby, were feuding at a Tarzana club when Theriault-Odom set Busby on fire.

During the trial, Busby testified that she suffered burns over 40 percent of her body, had to spend five months in the hospital, and had to undergo 30 skin grafts.

Theriault-Odom claims someone else set Busby on fire.