Crime & Safety

Homeless Man Sentenced For Setting Girlfriend on Fire

North Laurel man sentenced to 30 years.

A North Laurel man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of the burning death of his girlfriend in North Laurel.

According to The Laurel Leader, Richard Allen Rodola, 50, received the maximum sentence and will not be eligible for parole until he has served half of his sentence.

Police and prosecutors said before lighting her on fire in the woods by Route 1 in North Laurel in the fall of 2010.

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rodola testified he and Myers, who lived together in the woods, were intoxicated and arguing, and the fire was an accident.

A jury spent 22 hours deliberating before reaching the guilty verdict for second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of Myers, according to the Howard County Times.

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