November 23, 2009

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to
life without parole for beating an 83-year-old woman, then setting
her on fire while she was still alive.

A Montgomery County jury convicted Ramon Alvarado last month of
murder, arson and conspiracy after a four-day trial.

Prosecutors say Alvarado and his cousin, Jose Alvarado,
conspired to kill Lila Meizell after Jose added two zeros to a
check she gave him for landscaping work and became fearful the
theft would be discovered.

Ramon Alvarado's attorneys say they plan to appeal the
conviction. They contend that Jose Alvarado killed Meizell.

They say the two men went to the house and Ramon Alvarado beat
Meizell and set her on fire. An autopsy found that she was still
alive when she was set on fire.

Jose Alvarado pleaded guilty to his part in the murder.