Home News 

Story

Trial Continues For Man Accused Of Burning Girlfriend Alive

Posted: 12:05 pm EST February 18, 2008Updated: 12:26 pm EST February 18, 2008

The murder trial of a man accused of burning his girlfriend alive resumed Monday in Orange County. Prosecutors were continuing to lay out their case against 21-year-old Dane Abdool who, they say, planned the death of Amelia Sookdeo.

Monday, arson investigators told the jury that Abdool poured gasoline on his sometime-girlfriend Amelia Sookdeo pretty much from head to toe. Investigators said they found gasoline on her face, soaked through all of her clothing and her socks and shoes. They said that 80-percent of her body was burned and that Abdool removed the nozzle from the gas can he used so that the gasoline would pour out more quickly. Gloves were also found at the scene.

A State Fire Marshal investigator told the jury he believes it was an intentional burning because of all of the circumstances involved, including the fact that the arsonist would have had to have been close to the victim.

"The vapors coming off the gasoline would have been more defused out in the open making it more difficult to ignite," state arson investigator Juan Bailey testified Monday, adding that the igniting device would have to be close to the gasoline to spark it.

Monday, Abdool looked at the photographs the jury was shown of Amelia's burned body along Avalon Road without showing much emotion. It had to be difficult for her family to see, though. They stayed in the courtroom for the disturbing testimony.

Monday afternoon the jury is expected to hear from one of Abdool's co-workers at the Mall at Millenia Macy's, who told investigators Abdool went to work hours after the murder as if nothing had happened.

More Headlines

Make WFTV Your Power On

Did you ever turn your television off at night and notice the next morning that your set comes on to a different channel? You can set your cable box so that your TV comes on to the station you want. It's easy! Full Story ››
Step-By-Step Text Instructions


Click Picks
Video Clips
AP Photo/Peter Kramer
Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road. View Images ››


Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, our 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often. Take A Look!

County-By-County News

Get Hyper-Local On WFTV.com

Visit our County-By-County section for the latest news headlines out of your county. » County-By-County

When you take videos or photos of Central Florida news or weather events, iWitness is your place to upload them. » iWitness

Visit your headquarters for county-by-county news and resources, and a place to share community videos and photos. » 9Central