An Allegan County man was arraigned Thursday on five felony charges, including torture, for allegedly pouring acid on his girlfriend’s head and chest early Wednesday.
Gregory Alan Marsman appeared for a video arraignment in Allegan District Court, at one point challenging a home invasion charge for allegedly breaking into the victim’s home on 66th Street near Fennville.
“No I did not do that,’’ he told Magistrate Kirby J. Goodwin.
“I didn’t ask whether you did or you didn’t, I asked whether you understand what the prosecutor’s charged you with,’’ Goodwin said.
“Um, yes,’’ Marsman responded.
Home invasion is punishable by up to 20 years in prison while torture carries a maximum sentence of life. Marsman, 53, is also charged with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm, third-offense domestic violence and being a habitual offender.
The latter charge stems from domestic assault convictions in May, 2011 and in March, 2009, which led to probation and fines.
Marsman has prior felony convictions in Allegan County for resisting and opposing police in 2010 and an attempted break-in conviction from 2014. He was discharged from probation in August, 2015.
Marsman lists an address on Blue Star Highway about four miles from the victim’s home. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department said he went to the victim’s home about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday and tackled her as she approached the house.
Marsman had already entered the home and caused extensive damage before pouring acid on the woman’s face and chest, investigators said. He fled in the victim’s car and was arrested a few hours later in Berrien County.
The woman, 54, ran to a neighbor’s home after the attack and was put in the shower. She remains at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital.
Marsman will be back in court for a probable hearing on March 24. He remains held in the Allegan County Jail on a $100,000 bond.