Man Gets 8 Years in Prison for Arson

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for setting fire to a home where he knew his ex-wife and his former best friend were inside.

Robert Goethe, of Hearne, could have received up to 99 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to first-degree arson. His ex-wife, her boyfriend who was Goethe's former good friend, and four of their children escaped injury from the blaze.

Prosecutors were seeking 10 years in prison. Goethe's attorneys said he should get probation because he had no criminal past.

The Eagle, the Bryan-College Station newspaper, reports state District Judge Steve Smith said his punishment decision was based on what would have happened if the fire had not been put out.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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