Bar owner gets 4 months for 'Ring of Fire' stunt

[March 03, 2009]  GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- A former Green Bay bar owner whose customer got burned by flaming alcohol has been sentenced to four months in jail.

Adam Ward, 32, had pleaded no contest to injury by negligent use of fire for the October 2007 incident. Prosecutors said Ward ignited alcohol to the Johnny Cash song "Ring of Fire." When he added more alcohol, the bottle shattered, showering a woman with flaming liquid.

The woman was burned on her face, neck and chest and has permanent scars.

The woman told the court Friday that Ward was unsympathetic at the time and offered little help.

Ward told the judge the fire stunt was a "dumb, stupid bar trick." He apologized to the woman, saying he's spent many sleepless nights replaying that evening in his head.

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Information from: Green Bay Press-Gazette, http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com

[Associated Press]

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