Woman sentenced to 11 years in prison after starting fire that led to a man's death

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison after starting a fire that led to a man's death last year. 

Investigators say Merchelle Adams admitted to starting the fire that happened near 29th and Bobolink on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. 

The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene and located the fire on the second floor of a two-and-a-half story building. Officials also found 60-year-old Anthony Winters, who authorities say was blind, on the second floor of the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

According to a criminal complaint, a witness told investigators he was inside his vehicle when he saw flames coming out of the residence. He stated he saw a woman -- later identified as Adams-- Walk from the area of the residence, cross the street and sit on some rocks. He stated the woman said, "I set the house on fire," and began to laugh. The man told investigators he heard Adams then say, there is a "blind man in there...that's what he gets." 

Adams was taken into custody and when asked why this incident occurred, Adams allegedly said it was due to domestic violence.

Adams pled not guilty in July.