A 35-year-old James City County man is facing attempted murder charges in Maryland after deputies alleged he tried to forcibly carve off a tattoo connected to Detroit-based hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse from a man’s arm before dousing the arm in gasoline and lighting it on fire.
The attack allegedly occurred early Monday in Hebron, Md., located in Wicomico County along the Delaware border. Cary Lee Edwards of James City County and 33-year-old Paul Martin Hurst of Hebron were charged in an attack Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office deputies described in a news release as a savage beating that nearly left a 31-year-old man dead.
At about 1 a.m. Monday, Edwards and Hurst allegedly began arguing with the 31-year-old at a house near Hebron. After the argument, they began beating him, according to the release. They are then accused of trying to forcibly carve the tattoo out of the man’s arm. When they realized that would not be able to remove the tattoo, they allegedly doused the man’s arm in gasoline and lit it on fire, causing severe burns on the arm.
The man was then left on the ground for several hours without medical treatment before he was driven to a hospital in Salisbury, Md. After examination, hospital officials transferred him to the Baltimore Burn Center where he remains in critical condition.
Investigation into the alleged assault was taken over by the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation, which has determined Edwards and Hurst are likely Juggalos, a “cult following of the Insane Clown Posse,” according to the release. Insane Clown Posse has “introduced supernatural and horror-themed lyrics as a means of distinguishing itself stylistically,” the release noted.
Both Edwards and Hurst have each been charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault, one count of reckless endangerment and one count of deadly weapon.
Edwards is also facing a misdemeanor charge of tattooing a minor in James City County. He was arrested for that charge July 29. Deputy Chief Stephen Rubino of the James City County Police Department said a woman took out the charge against Edwards for allegedly tattooing her 15-year-old daughter.
Correction: Edwards is a resident of James City County. The article has been updated to reflect where he lives.
