Bail set at $2 million for accused torturer
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
Bail has been set at $2 million for a Bakersfield man accused of beating a woman unconscious, then tying her up and holding her against her will for the next few days while he stabbed, choked, burned, gagged and bit her.
Kristopher Lawless, 26, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday. Police say he was booked on suspicion of offenses including attempted murder, torture, spousal abuse and false imprisonment.
Police first became aware of the suspected crimes Thursday after being dispatched to the 7100 block of Firebaugh Street in connection with a domestic violence report. The victim told officers she'd been in an argument with Lawless Monday at his residence in the 3800 block of Balboa Drive.
Lawless struck the victim over the head with a blunt object and then punched her until she lost consciousness, according to police. He then tied her up.
The woman told officers Lawless threatened to kill her and carried out a series of abuses against her, police said. She managed to escape Thursday and flagged down a motorist who drove her to a friend's house.
Police said the victim had suffered numerous significant visible injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Officers responded to Lawless' home and took him into custody without incident.
Officers found evidence of the crime, as well as drugs, police said.
Court records show Lawless has been arrested numerous other times. He pleaded no contest to vehicle theft in 2005, pleaded no contest to DUI earlier this year, and just last month pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct in connection with prostitution.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111 or Detective Brian West at 326-3558.
To send an anonymous text message to the BPD, enter 274637 and text BPDCRIMES along with the message. Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone TipSubmit mobile app or via email at tipsubmit.com.
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