A Georgia man was convicted and sentenced for the death of his 10-year-old daughter in a 2022 house fire. The girl died after being forced to sleep in a bathroom. His wife also received a lengthy prison term.
William McCue, 51, was found guilty on Thursday of felony murder, rape, incest and child molestation. A jury in Gwinnett County deliberated for about four hours before convicting him. He received three consecutive life sentences without parole plus a fourth life term and 120 years in prison.
The fire occurred on April 17, 2022, at the family home in Loganville. Zowey McCue died of smoke inhalation because she was trapped in the windowless bathroom used as her bedroom. Her mother, Carina McCue, rescued the other children but could not reach the girl.
Carina McCue, 42, pleaded guilty to cruelty to children and related charges. She testified against her husband and was sentenced to 90 years in prison. The couple's oldest son, then 15, testified that he started the fire to escape ongoing abuse.
Prosecutors said the children faced severe mistreatment including beatings and being forced to wear shock collars. District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson called the treatment horrible and the death preventable.