Franklin DA: Criminal charges possible against woman who self-ignited
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: October 24, 2012
Mack Lancaster, district attorney for Franklin Parish, this morning said the woman who set herself on fire Sunday at Civitan Park in Winnsboro could be facing criminal charges, if she recovers from her burns.
Late Tuesday afternoon, investigators announced the woman, Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, had set herself on fire, though she had claimed she was set on fire by three male assailants wearing white hoodies.
Moffitt made those claims in a 911 call from the park Sunday night. Law enforcement responded to that call within one minute, and Moffitt was transported to LSU Medical Center's Burn Unit in Shreveport.
Investigators found the letters "KKK," as well as a racial epithet, written on her car with a white pasty substance. Physical evidence found at the scene and was analyzed at the Northwest Louisiana Crime Lab.
In addition to the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Department, Louisiana State Police, the Winnsboro Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation.
Lancaster said he is waiting for all the police reports to get to his office for review before a decision is made regarding criminal charges. He estimated that would take two-to-three weeks. He added that in addition to criminal charges, it's possible a judge could hold Moffitt responsible for the cost of the criminal investigation.
Moffitt remains in critical condition in LSU Medical Center's Burn Unit.
