MADISON (WKOW) -- The Madison man who police say set his wife on fire appeared in Dane County Court Monday afternoon on a new charge of felony bail jumping.
Authorities say 59-year-old Andrew Spear violated his terms of bail by contacting his wife. Authorities say Spear forwarded his wife a household bill by email.
Last week, a judge raised Spear's bail from $107,000 to $757,000 because of the accusation he contacted his wife. On Monday, a court commissioner said the bail amount was sufficient, even with the new charge.
Authorities say Spear was out on bail when he sent the email.
Police officials say Spear set his wife, Mary Spear, on fire in a storage unit, but say they both quickly put out the flames.
Authorities say Andrew Spear was jealous over what he believed was an affair between his wife and her boss, state Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith.
Smith has said no affair took place. Smith hired Mary Spear from a Texas job to the be the department's chief legal counsel.
Andrew Spear's attorney, Brian Brophy, argued Monday Spear's contact with his wife was the most "innocuous" form of bail jumping.
But, Assistant Dane County District Attorney Adrian Blaze says Spear's motives were suspect, citing his attempt to contact his brother-in-law, and breaking an imposed curfew.
Spear faces trial for attempted first degree intentional homicide.
