EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A Lynwood man convicted of attempted murder for allegedly beating his ex-wife and setting her on fire inside their home has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison.

The Daily Herald reports (http://bit.ly/20DzfPR ) that David Morgan was sentenced Wednesday after a jury found him guilty on April 5 of attempted first-degree murder, assault and arson. He was given the maximum sentence allowed under state law.

Prosecutors had argued that Morgan beat Brenda Welch and set her on fire so he didn’t have to pay her child support or part of his pension.

But 56-year-old Morgan told police he had woken up to find his ex-wife on fire and tried to put out the flames.

Welch, who suffered a fractured skull and burns, says she has no memory of the attack.

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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com

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