THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 24, 1995 TAG: 9510240354
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
A man who pleaded guilty in August to murdering his girlfriend by setting her afire has been sentenced to spend life plus 20 years in prison.
On Aug. 2, Alfred J. Parker, 44, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and arson of an occupied dwelling. He was accused of killing Jacqueline Cherry, 40, after an argument July 24, 1994, in their apartment on Godfrey Avenue in the Bowling Green neighborhood.
Parker, who was sentenced Friday, had faced a maximum of two life sentences.
Prosecutors said Parker got kerosene from a pantry, lighted a piece of paper and followed Cherry to an upstairs bedroom, where he threw the kerosene on her and set her on fire. Cherry's teenage daughter was awakened by the blast and Parker also threw kerosene on her. She escaped unharmed.
Cherry, who was burned over 80 percent of her body, died seven days after the assault.
KEYWORDS: SENTENCING MURDER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE by CNB