HEMPSTEAD COUNTY, Ark. (KSLA) - A man has pleaded guilty to dousing his wife in weed-eater gas and setting her on fire, ultimately killing her.

On Nov. 13, Bruce Cockrell entered a negotiated plea of guilty to the charges of murder in the first degree and arson of property having at least $2,500 value, but less than $5,000.

Before sentencing, Nichole Smith, the sister of the victim, Tonya Marie Liggin, spoke to the man who killed her baby sister as she fought back tears.

After the sister’s statement, the judge sentenced Cockrell to 45 years in prison for the first-degree murder, and 30 years consecutively for the arson, for a total of 75 years.

The incident happened on July 8, 2024. Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a structure fire in Fulton.

Liggin was found wi

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