Fire Marshal's Wife Gets 25-to-Life

A judge has sentenced the widow of a New York City fire marshal to 25 years to life in prison for second-degree murder for shooting him to death while he slept. A jury in Staten Island Supreme Court convicted Janet Redmond-Mercereau in May.

"Janet Redmond-Mercereau committed the ultimate selfish act by executing her husband as a way to end their marriage," said Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan. "Her self-centered actions in committing this callous murder have deprived two daughters of a father and mother and caused a lifetime of grief for two families. The lengthy prison sentence imposed today by Justice Collini is appropriate and just."

The 40-year-old school teacher told investigators that she never heard the gunshots that killed her husband, Douglas Mercereau.

He was found in bed in their Staten Island home back on Dec. 2, 2007. He had been shot three times in the head with his own service weapon, the NYPD said.

Prosecutors said Redmond-Mercereau wiped traces of evidence off the Smith and Wesson pistol, removed shell casings, and washed her clothing in an attempt to conceal the crime.