A man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death then lit her on fire in an attempt to collect life insurance money has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Maurice Wigfall was convicted in February for the 2015 killing of Latiqua Cherry. Cherry, 21, was found dead in a third-floor apartment in Oxon Hill, Maryland on May 17, 2015.
Prosecutors said Wigfall entered Cherry's apartment and stabbed her in the neck multiple times. He then removed the fire alarm in the apartment before he poured gasoline on her body and set her ablaze.
“This defendant is very cold, calculating and ruthless and there is simply no place for him in our community,” Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said. “I hope this conviction and sentence sends a message that we will not tolerate violence, especially domestic violence and no matter how well you think you have planned a crime, you will be caught and you will be held accountable.”
Wigfall and Cherry had a child together before their relationship ended. After the breakup, Cherry was awarded primary custody of their 2-year-old daughter. She issued a protective order against Wigfall, the state's attorney's office said.
Wigfall secretly purchased a life insurance policy for Cherry and their child and made himself the sole beneficiary.
Wigfall was sentenced to a life without parole, plus 50 years and 90 days for his crime.
