‘Hero’ Gets 50 Years in Wife’s Murder

A man once hailed as a hero for rescuing his children from their burning Hartford home was sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering his wife, then setting the house on fire as a cover-up. Lance Wargo, 36, told Judge John Mulcahy Jr. he had nothing to do with the November 1994 murder and arson. But friends and family of Wendy Wargo, 29, said he deserved the most severe punishment. At first, neighbors hailed Wargo as a hero for rescuing his son, 5, and daughter, 4. The neighbors watched as Wargo pounded on the front door and doused the building with a garden hose. His wife never emerged.