A jury in Martinique has found a man guilty of murder after he set his ex-girlfriend on fire in front of town hall three years ago.

The public violent act occurred early in the evening and shocked residents and police in the normally quiet capital of Fort-de-France.

Patrick Mariello was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors were seeking at least 30 years.

Authorities testified that Mariello showed up at a police station on June 13, 2005, to say he had set his ex-girlfriend’s car on fire. The charred body of the 28-year-old was found near the car.

The 32-year-old Mariello testified this week that he was upset his ex-girlfriend never told him she had an affair with his best friend.