Life sentence for woman who set husband afire

Kimberly Spampinato speaks to the judge at her sentencing hearing on Thursday at the York County Superior Court, in Alfred. Spampinato asked for and received a life sentence for murder and arson for pouring gas on her husband and setting him on fire while he slept.

ALFRED (AP) — A Maine woman who pleaded guilty to killing her husband by setting him on fire while he slept got what she wanted. She was sentenced to life in prison.

Kimberly Spampinato, of Wells, told a judge Thursday that the only way to protect society was to accept prosecutors' recommendation that she be locked up for the rest of her life. York County Superior Court Justice Paul Fritzsche obliged, imposing a life sentence.

Neighbors say Christopher Spampinato was on fire when he ran from the apartment building and that he rolled in snow to douse the flames last January. He suffered burns over 85 percent of his body and died nine days later.

Kimberly Spampinato showed no remorse. She sent a letter to Christopher Spampinato's sister, telling her she wanted to cause pain and that her late husband didn't suffer enough.