SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A San Antonio resident was sentenced to 47 years in prison for the assault on his disabled roommate, a crime characterized by particularly heinous acts including scalding the victim with boiling water and setting her on fire, local authorities reported.
Kamron Kearney, 28, faced sentencing on Monday after a jury found him guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, causing serious bodily injury, and injury to a disabled individual. The verdict concluded a chilling case that began with an incident in October 2023, when Kearney attacked his 36-year-old roomate, who suffers from autism and requires daily care.
The disturbing events unfolded in the home the two shared, where the victim, dependent on disability benefits and support from caregivers, had been living with Kearney for over a year. The police were alerted to the assault by another caregiver present in the residence, who immediately contacted emergency services upon witnessing the attack.
Investigators pieced together a grisly sequence of events where, in a fit of rage triggered by an accident where the victim urinated on herself, Kearney heated several pitchers of water to a boiling point. He then poured the scalding water over her while she was in the shower, inflicting severe burns on her neck and back. The torment continued as the victim was compelled to stand in a corner for hours, leading to significant swelling in her legs.
The assault escalated further when Kearney applied rubbing alcohol to the woman’s arms and ignited it, causing deep burn wounds. After extinguishing the flames, he repeated this brutal act on her legs, setting them on fire as well.
Following the attack, the victim received immediate medical attention and was hospitalized due to the extensive burns that covered significant portions of her body. The caregiver who reported the crime assisted the authorities throughout the investigation, providing crucial testimony.
The case brought to light Kearney’s violent criminal history, with previous convictions including three separate assault charges over the past seven years. Details regarding his past victims were not disclosed in relation to the current case.
The jury’s decision on December 5 to convict Kearney speaks to the severity of the crime, underscored by the victim’s vulnerability due to her disability. The sentencing reflects a holistic effort by the criminal justice system to address and penalize acts of violence against individuals with disabilities, ensuring justice and protection for some of society’s most at-risk members.
Kearney now faces nearly five decades in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, highlighting a significant legal response to a grievous violation of individual rights and safety. The case serves as a somber reminder and a stern warning against the abuse of disabled individuals, aligning with broader societal efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their physical or mental condition.