Life in Prison For Roger Hargrave

June 5, 2006 -

 

A Maryland judge has sentenced 34 year old Roger Hargrave to life in prison for setting his estranged wife, Yvette Cade, on fire. "This sentence and the criminal court proceedings send a strong message to those who commit these heinous crimes and those who maybe insensitive to the pleas of domestic violence survivors," says Legal Momentum spokesman Bill Prasad.

Last October Hagrave soaked Cade, 32, with gasoline then set her on fire at her work place. Cade suffered serious burns. In April a jury convicted him of attempted murder. The crime took place three weeks after Judge Richard Palumbo dismissed a protective order against Hargrave.

Judge Palumbo has offered a defense to charges leveled against him by the investigative counsel for the state Commission on Judicial Disabilities. Palumbo allegedly made inappropriate statements to women (including burn victim Yvette Cade) seeking protective orders. Palumbo blamed a clerical error and the news media for what he called "character assassination." "It's disturbing that Judge Richard Palumbo continues to blame others for his questionable conduct in the courtroom," adds Prasad "Judge Palumbo has a record of questionable conduct from the bench. Legal Momentum hopes the Commission takes a long and hard look at his conduct," says Prasad.