Life for Man who Robbed Store and Set Victim on Fire

PALESTINE — A man will spend the rest of his life in prison for setting a woman on fire during a robbery at a store in Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, Robert Thompson pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and arson charges on Monday and a jury sentenced him to life in prison. Thompson went into the Pit Stop on Link St. last February, pulled a gun, and tied up the female cashier, Linda Camire. A frequent patron of the store, Della Witt-Denizeri, came in during the robbery, he tied her up as well behind the counter.

After taking the money from the register, Thompson poured lighter fluid on the victims and set Witt-Denizeri on fire. Before leaving the store, he stopped to watch both victims burn. Both victims survived the ordeal. Thompson then went to a shoe carnival in Tyler to trade out his shoes for new ones. Thompson headed backed to Palestine where he was later arrested at a convenience store with the weapon in hand. Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell called the crime a “wanton disregard for human life.” Both victims testified how Thompson’s choices have forever changed their lives. https://www.easttexasmatters.com/news/local-news/man-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-setting-east-texas-woman-on-fire-during-robbery/