Massachusetts man sentenced to six years in prison for arson

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that Kamari Kerr (age 26), of Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 15 years, with 6 years to serve and 9 years suspended with probation, by Superior Court Justice Sarah Taft-Carter.

Kerr was found guilty on June 4, 2019 of first-degree arson, domestic. The jury returned the verdict after a five-day trial, presided over by Superior Court Justice Sarah Taft-Carter, and one day of deliberations.

During the trial, the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on June 11, 2017, Kerr started a fire inside of his boyfriend’s house in East Providence, resulting in significant damage to the home. No one was injured in the fire. Three days later, on June 14, 2019, the East Providence Police Department arrested Kerr.

Hannah Burnes of the Office of the State Fire Marshall led the investigation, with assistance from the East Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police. Special Assistant Attorney General Katelyn Revens prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.