A woman from Ishpeming is on trial, accused of setting her ex-husband on fire.

Julie Boxley attended a preliminary exam in Alger County District Court. Boxley is accused of assault with intent to murder and serious bodily harm less than murder.

PHOTO | COURTESY Julie Boxley


She is suspected of setting fire to her then-husband, James Boxley, at their flat during Christmas in 2021. The prosecution called him to the stand.

"I was woken up by cold liquid [being poured] on me, and at the time, I didn't know what was going on because I had just awoken from a deep sleep." It was a little flame that I could see on top of me, and I suddenly recognized what it was.

She allegedly threatened James when he threw the blanket outdoors.

PHOTO | COURTESY police line

"I'm looking at her as if to say, 'What is going on here?'" "And then she took a book of matches, lit them, and threw them at me, and all she said was 'I hate you,'" James Boxley claimed.

Julie Boxley's lawyer, Jennifer France, stated that her client suffers from significant mental health concerns. She stated that her team is investigating whether such mental health issues affected the case.

"We don't have the results of that, but as I stated in court several times today, Ms. Boxley has a history of mental illness, and I believe that when we get all of the information back from the forensic experts, we will be able to make a decision."

France claims that more evidence in relation to James will be presented later in the process. Julie Boxley is scheduled to appear in Alger County Circuit Court on September 19 at 11 a.m.