SYRACUSE, NY – A Syracuse man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted of setting a deadly fire that claimed the life of his neighbor and left a community in mourning.

Anthony Green, 60, learned his fate Tuesday in Onondaga County court following his conviction last December on charges including first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and arson. Authorities say Green deliberately started the blaze that engulfed a two-family home on South Avenue in June 2024.

Syracuse City Court Judge Mary Anne Doherty delivered the sentence, describing Green’s actions as “so evil it defies logic” and affirming that he should never be free to harm anyone again. The fire killed 34-year-old Shaquoiya Allison, whose mother told the court that her daughter was a devoted caregiver, known for her kindness and compassion.

According to prosecutors, the fire erupted around 11 p.m. on the night of June 24. Five people, including Green’s girlfriend Lorraine Green, had gathered upstairs for a party. Earlier that evening, the couple had reportedly been involved in a heated dispute that prompted a police response.

Surveillance footage presented at trial showed Green calmly leaving the house as flames spread rapidly inside. He was later seen walking to a nearby store and returning to watch the fire from across the street, smoking as the building was consumed by fire.

Investigators said Allison was asleep in the back of the residence when the fire started. Her cause of death was ruled to be smoke inhalation. Officials argued that although Allison was not the intended victim, her death was a direct result of Green’s actions.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors contended that Green’s target was actually Lorraine Green, suggesting he believed she might struggle to escape the fire due to her prosthetic leg, particularly during a late night gathering. They asserted that Green used an accelerant to fuel the fire and later confessed responsibility to at least one other individual, according to court documents.

The defense maintained that there was no concrete evidence linking Green to the fire’s ignition. While investigators were unable to pinpoint an exact cause, prosecutors relied on surveillance video, Green’s conduct after the fire, and his troubled history with his girlfriend to convince the jury of his guilt.

The jury ultimately found Green guilty on all major counts. During sentencing, Judge Doherty condemned the crime as “diabolical,” echoing the sentiments of Allison’s family and supporters who filled the courtroom.

Allison’s work as a caregiver had touched the lives of many in the Syracuse area. Her family described her as loving and gentle, with an obituary highlighting her deep bonds with those she served.

Green continues to profess his innocence and, according to his attorney, plans to appeal both his conviction and sentence. As the legal process continues, Allison’s family and friends remain focused on honoring her memory.