W.Va. sheriff says woman was tortured for years; husband denies malicious wounding charge

LEROY, W.Va. - A West Virginia man faces a preliminary court hearing Friday on a malicious wounding charge arising from allegations that he kept captive and tortured his wife for the better part of a decade.

Authorities say 37-year-old Peter Lizon was in jail Wednesday on $300,000 bond.

Stephanie Lizon reportedly fled her husband while they were at a store in Parkersburg on July 2 and turned up at a domestic violence shelter. There, a criminal complaint says, she detailed years of abuse.

Investigators say they have 45 photographs showing burns on her back and breasts from irons and frying pans, and scars on her wrists and ankles. Jackson County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Tony Boggs called the case one of the most terrible he's seen.

Peter Lizon's attorney says the allegations are false.