Poplar Bluff teen accused of burning another goes on trial

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jury selection began Thursday morning in the trial of a Poplar Bluff teenager accused of squirting gasoline on another teen and then lighting him on fire.

A pool of about 80 Butler County residents were supposed to report to the courthouse to begin the selection process in the trial of Billy Joe Rasberry. The trial, which is being held before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Swindle, was slated for Thursday and today.

The now 18-year-old is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

He is charged in connection with a June 13, 2009, incident that left Walter Currie Jr., then 15, seriously burned.

Currie, according to earlier reports, suffered second- and third-degree burns on his stomach, chest, face, neck and arms.

Rasberry, a resident of the 700 block of Foley Street, was 16 at the time of the alleged incident and was certified to stand trial as an adult on the charges.

During the investigation by the Poplar Bluff Police Department, officers took written and verbal statements from Currie, other witnesses and Rasberry after he was told of his rights.

On June 13, 2009, Rasberry and his younger brother, Jamie, reportedly left their Foley Street home on foot.

Rasberry, authorities said, was carrying a Gatorade bottle filled with gasoline, a lighter and a pair of scissors.

The Rasberrys walked to JD's Quickstop, at the intersection of Main and Davis, and as they left, they "were confronted by Walter Currie Jr. and four other juvenile males," Lt. Dave Sutton said in his probable cause affidavit.

Currie, Sutton said, confronted the younger Rasberry about a rumor he had heard.

Rasberry, Sutton said, told Currie he had a bottle of gasoline and a lighter.

"Water Currie Jr. continued his conversation with Jamie Rasberry," said Sutton. "Billy Rasberry threw gasoline from the Gatorade bottle onto Walter Currie Jr. and ignited the gasoline with the lighter."

According to reports, there had been an alleged assault, which had occurred several days prior involving the teens, as well as what officers described as "some incidents" at school.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO