25 years in arson that killed 2 children

Topics: From the Wires,

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A woman who set fire to her home and killed two of her children at Fort Campbell has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Billi Jo Smallwood was trying to kill her soldier husband and collect his $400,000 life insurance policy.

A sobbing Smallwood maintained her innocence at her sentencing Thursday. Family, friends and jail guards portrayed her as caring and deeply religious.

The 39-year-old Smallwood could have been sentenced to life behind bars.

Smallwood was convicted of maliciously setting fire to the two-story housing unit in 2007 while her children slept inside.

The blaze killed 9-year-old Sam Fagan and 2-year-old Rebekah Smallwood.

Smallwood’s husband, Wayne Smallwood, and their young daughter survived.

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