THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508030462
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
A man accused of setting fire to his girlfriend last year pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder and arson of an occupied dwelling.
Alfred J. Parker, now 44, was accused of killing his girlfriend, Jacqueline Cherry, 40, after an argument July 24, 1994, in their apartment on Godfrey Avenue in the Bowling Green neighborhood.
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 allegedly also threw kerosene on her. She escaped unharmed.
Cherry was burned over 80 percent of her body and died seven days later. She was survived by two daughters. Parker was charged with first-degree murder and arson, to which he pleaded guilty. He faces up to two life sentences. He will be sentenced Oct. 20.
KEYWORDS: GUILTY PLEA ARSON MURDER by CNB