Peter Lizon Update: West Virginia man will appear in court for allegedly torturing his wife for several years

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Authorities say Peter Lizon tortured and enslaved his wife for much of the past decade, forcing her to endure two pregnancies and deliveries in shackles

/ AP Photo/South Central Regional Jail

(CBS/AP) RIPLEY, W.Va. - A preliminary hearing is set today for Peter Lizon, who is accused of torturing his wife, Stephanie Lizon, for several years in their West Virginia home.

Lizon, 37, faces a malicious wounding charge and is scheduled to appear in court for Friday morning in Jackson County Magistrate Court in western West Virginia. A court clerk told The Associated Press that she expects the small courtroom to be crowded for the high-profile case.

Stephanie, 43, fled her husband while they were at a store in Parkersburg on July 2. She showed up at a domestic violence shelter where she detailed years of abuse, according to a criminal complaint.

Investigators said they have 45 photographs showing burns on her back and breasts from irons and frying pans, and scars on her wrists and ankles.

Peter's attorney said the allegations are false, and that the complaint was made by someone else, not Peter's wife. Defense attorney Shawn Bayliss said the allegations, which were relayed by a shelter worker, were "the fabrication of a fertile imagination or a feeble mind, one of the two."

"My client's spouse has never even filed a petition seeking a domestic violence protective order," Bayliss said. "She would say, and he would agree, domestic violence has not been part of their history."

Peter denies inflicting any violence on his wife, Bayliss said. When asked how she could have suffered so many injuries, Bayliss said he doesn't know the specifics of those mentioned in the criminal complaint.

"But in the most common terms, not every injury is intentional. Not every bruise is the result of some violent act," Bayliss said.

Although Bayliss said he is in contact with Lizon's wife, he couldn't say whether she is cooperating with investigators or whether she was back at home when the police arrested her husband. She will not, however, share her story with the media, he said.

More on Crimesider
July 12, 2012 - Peter Lizon, West Virginia man, kept his wife captive and tortured her for nearly a decade, sheriff says

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by kyjaf July 14, 2012 1:15 PM EDT: Please pray for this woman. I'm sure she is scared to death to tell the truth. If you see this Stephanie, you need to tell the truth. It will be a tough road, but there are people/organizations that will help you. This situation will not get better

This man is a violent scumbag who needs to be put away. I don't see how his lawyer can sleep at night. I look forward to seeing him put away.; Reply to this comment


by Verascity July 13, 2012 3:46 PM EDT: It's not just the south where things like this happen, but it seems to be the south where it happens most often. Ladies, if he drawls: Run!; Reply to this comment


by Verascity July 13, 2012 3:38 PM EDT: I don't suppose there's any way a defense attorney can be charged with complicity after the fact?; Reply to this comment


by Wishuponastar60514 July 13, 2012 1:35 PM EDT: I think he did it and the state will not do anything to help her. I worry about the child now also. There is no way she has a ton of scars from clumsiness. I have alot of scars but my husband knows how I got my scars and what happen and her husband should to. Unless he is a dumbfounded guy. So if she doesn't want to talk to media it is understandable maybe she is afraid if he does get out then finds her is he going to kill her and what are the chances of that happening. Pretty good.; Reply to this comment

by idunnogal July 13, 2012 11:03 AM EDT

It appears, also, that defense attorney Shawn Blayliss has "...a fertile imagination or a feeble mind, one of the two..."

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by MojitoMamma July 13, 2012 12:26 PM EDT: WV is full of bottom-dwelling scum-sucking shysters just like Bayliss. When you kick over a rock, dozens of them come scuttling out like so many flea-infested rats.


by deenicoledee July 17, 2012 12:52 PM EDT: @mojitoMamma. I'm glad you're so knowledgable about our fine region. Way to stay classy...

by caljack430 July 13, 2012 10:14 AM EDT

so basically she is either a completely masochistic and clumsy idiot... or her husband is an abusive p.o.s who deserves to rot in jail forever... i'm leaning towards the second here. last time i checked that many burns, cuts, bruises and scars don't have too many other possible causes other than a violent act.

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by Verascity July 13, 2012 3:44 PM EDT: Most likely, after years of violent abuse she's come to believe whatever he tells her - an extreme case of the Stockholm Syndrome. Still, since she was either feeble-minded to begin with or has succumbed to mental illness, their infant should be placed in a safe environment. Whether the poor little soul should ever see them again is problematic.