Life sentence for woman who set husband afire
10/30/09 | 24 comments

Life sentence for woman who set husband afire


By The Associated Press
AP PHOTO
Kimberly Spampinato speaks to the judge at her sentencing hearing, Thursday, Oct. 29, at the York County Superior Court, in Alfred, Maine. Spampinato asked for and received a life sentence for murder and arson for pouring gas on her husband and setting him on fire while he slept.

ALFRED, Maine — A Maine woman who pleaded guilty to killing her husband by setting him on fire while he slept got what she wanted. She was sentenced to life in prison.

Kimberly Spampinato, of Wells, told a judge Thursday that the only way to protect society was to accept prosecutors' recommendation that she be locked up for the rest of her life. York County Superior Court Justice Paul Fritzsche obliged, imposing a life sentence.

Neighbors say Christopher Spampinato was on fire when he ran from the apartment building and that he rolled in snow to douse the flames last January. He suffered burns over 85 percent of his body and died nine days later.

Kimberly Spampinato showed no remorse. She sent a letter to Christopher Spampinato's sister, telling her she wanted to cause pain and that her late husband didn't suffer enough.

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Comments
24 comments on this item
On 10/30/09 at 5:12 AM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The burning bed in reverse. It would be interesting to know what led her to do such a thing.

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On 10/30/09 at 5:13 AM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

oops... should have said "A repeat of the burning bed".

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On 10/30/09 at 8:19 AM, Michigal wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"He didn't suffer enough?" "The only way to protect society is to lock me up for life?"

Wow. She has some serious issues. I hope the Corrections Officers at Windham keep a VERY close eye on her.

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On 10/30/09 at 8:22 AM, DaddyBiggs wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How about an eye for any eye? She's quite a piece of work.

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On 10/30/09 at 8:47 AM, JillT1981 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

While, I'm glad the pyro got a life sentence, she certainly got some of what she deserved. What really gets me is that now we let criminals pick and choose their own sentence? Something just doesn't seem right with that picture.

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On 10/30/09 at 10:02 AM, 15wbulb wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Man, It's come to the point where you can't even set the hubby on fire without getting into big trouble!!!!

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On 10/30/09 at 11:06 AM, eastmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

She should have to feel the pain of a person burned to that extent. They certainly ' suffer enough ' . I hope they don't put her in a cell with another person should she get mad at her cellmate. We don't have death sentences in Maine so a life sentence is reasonable. I'm sure she would have gotten that whether she asked for it or not.

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On 10/30/09 at 11:51 AM, LilMikey wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I sure am glad I didn't marry her.

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On 10/30/09 at 12:40 PM, militaryman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

MAINE NEEDS A DEATH PENALTY!!!

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On 10/30/09 at 1:00 PM, luvthebluharp wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yes it would be interesting to know why she did that. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.....or something like that.

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On 10/30/09 at 1:24 PM, newsnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well, Jill, she asked for the Life Sentence. Most ask to be put into Mental Health Hospitals where they stay for two or three years. get out because they are CURED (?) and sometimes end up doing it all over again. Can anyone tell me the story behind WHY she did this - was he abusive? I am not condoning what she did because there are many places she could go to for protection if he was abusive, or did her mind just snap?

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On 10/30/09 at 1:38 PM, acadian wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I wish more who have committed crimes, without any question (know they did it), would take her lead, and do the right thing, plead guilty. Save us pauper taxpayers some money if you would.

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On 10/30/09 at 2:51 PM, Elmerfud wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

$60,000 per year X 50 yrs = 3 MILLION DOLLARS, Maine needs the death penalty. Then it would be the way life should be.

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On 10/30/09 at 4:06 PM, DougLavigne wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Roll her up in a bed sheet, and fire it up.

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On 10/30/09 at 7:09 PM, wallyo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Whats the matter ,can't we afford a gallon of gas to go along with the bedsheet.

.

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On 10/30/09 at 7:17 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

LilMikey 11:51 AM~ I'm glad you didn't too... just think where you'd be right now. LOL

dougLavigne and WallyO ~ You are too much.... I did chuckle.

In reality, I do have to commend her for taking her punishment, she saved a lot of $$ for the taxpayers for sure! Give credit where credit is due.

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On 10/30/09 at 7:30 PM, shopkins wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

She evidently realizes she has deep issues, to request such a sentence. And she has no remorse. Maybe she wasn't abused and indeed just snapped?? Wonder why the paper isn't saying more.. They're probably waiting to see how many comments they get first. Waiting for tomorrows edition:)

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On 10/30/09 at 9:11 PM, oceanmist wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How is she saving taxpayers some money?? We have to feed her and God knows what else our taxes go for....the list could go on.....

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On 10/30/09 at 10:30 PM, acadian wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Long lengthy trials cost us taxpayers money. In the end after the guilty verdict comes down we house, feed, and doctor them anyways. By pleading guilty for the crime, if they committed it, and accepting responsibility, the costs of the whole trial process disappears...this saves the taxpayers money (state lawyers, D.A.'s, clerk, recorder, deputies, juror's(their personal expenses also jobs & families) etc.). It would be interesting to see the numbers if the State of Maine has ever had the forethought to complete a study of what a typical murder trial costs. I bet a weeks jury trial must hit the high numbers quickly. The only way we can eliminate the storage costs, is to work them, or put them to death. This state has opted to not to work them, or put them to death.

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On 10/30/09 at 10:42 PM, oceanmist wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

True acadian.....and it WOULD be very interesting to see the numbers involved in a typical murder trial. As far as I know, jurors don't get compensated for their personal expenses or jobs.....unless it's changed since I was a juror. All I got was $10 a day...if I sat in on a trial.

What do you mean by "work them"? And I think the death penalty should be brought back, for certain crimes and the way they were committed....should be based on case by case crimes.

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On 10/31/09 at 5:22 PM, jellybeanhelene917 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Angry much?

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On 10/31/09 at 9:59 PM, oceanmist wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 11/1/09 at 8:46 PM, acadian wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

oceanmist...license plates, litter patrol and some road maintenance jobs, or even better utilizing any expertise they may have to state benefit, of course within reason as their incarcerated security level is studied and determined. I firmly believe those staying in our facilities are not guests but are those who have committed acts against society. The time put in and if any earnings comes from working while in custody should belong to the taxpayers. When it gets down to a person convicted wanting to earn a college degree while serving a life sentence...Who pays for this? Why are we paying for this? So they can work for the state and society to pay back society for their deed(s)? They can never payback the families or those they have committed an act against. We so often find out the answers to why they wanted to further their education. This when the convict files motion after motion costing us more money; pudding, separate bath facilities, entertainment, etc. How about if they only received further education funding if they formally admit to the crimes they have been found guilty of, no further appeals and motions allowed of that matter, and work in a capacity for the state paying back the educational funds. The "death penalty brought back" this in no doubt is a must for those who commit the most serious of crimes. Even this process is so full of inefficiencies... for the next unteen years after a conviction, and sentence of death, the taxpayers pay for appeal after appeal. In the end it makes those who work, work, and work out here wonder who is paying these criminals debt to society in the present system...us or them. $10.00 if you sat on a trial vs. all the time with your family, travel, and income lost...this is simply not right.

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On 11/2/09 at 12:43 PM, stewie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is one bad lady. Now claims to be a serial killer(7 people). Former husband and son testify see terroized them.

http://www.journaltribune.com/articles/2009/10/31/news/doc4aeaf9ff54924921035550.txt

http://www.myfoxmaine.com/dpp/news/20091030_spampinato_sentenced_to_life_in_prison

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