Murphy was accused of setting his wife’s Jeep on fire. Flames spread to the house while she and her children were sleeping inside.
Last month, Murphy pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated arson, and the remainder of the charges were dismissed, according to court documents. He faced the maximum of 11 years in prison.
On Thursday, Judge Keith Spaeth sentenced Murphy to 10 years in prison.
Credit: Butler County Jail
Credit: Butler County Jail
Murphy, who confessed to starting the fire that included pouring gasoline on the Jeep, was arrested by Middletown police Jan. 1, a few hours after the fire, according to police records and fire officials.
His wife, Brittani Murphy, 30, said in January she was sleeping at 6:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day in her Baltimore Street home when she heard a loud knock at her front door. A neighbor told her flames were visible. She went to the bathroom and saw flames shooting through the window, she said.
She quickly got her two daughters, 8 and 6, out of the house. The three suffered minor smoke inhalation, according to the fire report.
Staff Writer Rick McCrabb contributed to this report.
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