By Racquel Porter
Six years after Serita Housen Blair doused her spouse with gas and set him on fire causing his death, she has been given a life sentence.
Blair will have to serve 18 years before she is eligible for parole.
The punishment is in line with a plea agreement her attorneys struck with prosecutors.
Blair pleaded guilty on February 9 to the murder of her common-law partner Kenton Brown.
The court was told that on May 23, 2017 the couple was at home when a dispute developed between them after Blair reportedly accused Mr. Brown of being unfaithful.
When he fell asleep, Blair doused him with a "flammable substance" and set him on fire.
A resident who lived at the same premises on Espeut Avenue in Kingston said he was inside his home when he smelled what he thought was gas.
He then observed Mr. Brown coming from his room engulfed in flames.
Mr. Brown died four days later at hospital.
Prior to imposing the sentence in the Home Circuit Court on Friday, Justice Vaughn Smith took into consideration Blair's early plea as well as her favourable social enquiry and antecedent reports and her ability to be rehabilitated.
Justice Smith also considered the fact that Blair expressed remorse, and took responsibility for her actions, although the offence was seemingly premeditated.
The deceased had two dependent children.
The judge stressed that the court cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Blair's actions endangered the lives of the children who were at home at the time of the incident.
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