Man found guilty of trying to kill his ex-wife by setting her on fire

Kate Ryan:

A stoic Yvette Cade sat patting her mother's hand as the verdict in her ex-husband's case was read in Prince George's County Circuit Court Friday.

A jury Friday found Roger B. Hargrave guilty of trying to kill Cade by setting her on fire.

Jurors deliberated for more than 7 1/2 hours Thursday and Friday before convicting Hargrave on all counts -- first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault. He will be sentenced June 2 and could receive a maximum of life in prison.

On Oct. 10, 2005, Hargrave, 34, walked into a T-Mobile store in Clinton, poured liquid on Yvette Cade's head from a soda bottle, then chased after her -- lighting a match when she fell to the ground.

During the trial, jurors watched a silent video of Hargrave committing the crime. In the video, Cade, 32, is engulfed in flames.

The video generated gasps from Cade's family who was sitting in the courtroom.

Cade suffered burns over more than 65 percent of her body and has undergone more than 14 surgeries since she was burned.

Her case generated interest among advocates of domestic violence victims because three weeks before the crime a judge lifted a protective order against Hargrave.

The judge who issued the protective order, District Court Judge Richard A. Palumbo, is on administrative duty because of his handling of the case. A disciplinary panel is considering a complaint against him.

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