Jersey City Man Sentenced For Strangling, Burning Woman

A New Jersey man who strangled his ex-girlfriend's adult daughter and then set fire to her body and her family's home has been sentenced to 50 years in state prison.

Romulo Gregorio must serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed Monday before becoming eligible for parole.

The 41-year-old was convicted in February on numerous charges, including murder and aggravated arson. But he maintains his innocence and has appealed the verdict.

Firefighters found the body of 20-year-old Christine Mariano inside her family's Jersey City home when they responded to the blaze in February 2009. She had been burned beyond recognition.

Hudson County prosecutors say Gregorio killed Mariano because he and her widowed mother had been arguing about their relationship.

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