Cape Charles woman pleads guilty to making a threat to burn husband’s home

By Linda Cicoira

A 76-year-old county woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in Northampton Circuit Court to making a threat to bomb, burn, or destroy her husband’s house and DUI.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton said Joan Christian lived on Parson’s Circle in Cape Charles when she crashed her vehicle on Sunnyside Road near Cheriton on Feb. 22, 2023.

“She made numerous statements regarding going through a divorce and taking it hard” when speaking to rescue and hospital workers, the prosecutor said. She had been drinking all night and decided to burn Lynwood Christian’s house down. Not to hurt anyone, but to destroy his property.

A gasoline tank and string wicks were found inside her vehicle. “Thankfully, no one was hurt,” Thornton said. “This lady does not have a criminal history. There are some mental health issues,” he continued. “She is going to be residing in North Carolina and has no reason to come back here except for the divorce.”

    She was given a three-year suspended sentence for making the threat and a 90-day suspended term for DUI. Her driver’s license was suspended for a year. She was granted a restricted license during that time with the condition that an ignition interlock be installed for the first six months.  She was also fined $1,000 with all but $250 suspended.