Trial moved for Missouri man accused of setting wife on fire

A central Missouri man accused of setting his wife on fire will have his trial moved out of Randolph County.

KMIZ-TV reports a judge has agreed to a request by a lawyer for Willard Hunt for a change of venue.

Hunt is charged with arson, domestic assault and armed criminal action in the June 2013 fire that left his wife with severe burns and their Higbee home destroyed.

Prosecutors said Hunt threw gasoline on his wife’s face and ignited it with a cigarette lighter. Hunt had been scheduled to go on trial April 3, but Tuesday’s order means a new date will have to be set.

The wife said Hunt had been drinking heavily before the fire that left her hospitalized with burns on her face, arms and torso.

This story was originally published March 20, 2014 at 7:30 AM with the headline "Trial moved for Missouri man accused of setting wife on fire."