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Port St. Lucie man sentenced for trying to kill man by lighting him on fire

Posted at 5:26 PM, Oct 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-04 06:36:10-04

A Port St. Lucie man has been sentenced to life in prison for trying to kill another man by setting him on fire.

Ivan Rodriguez was found guilty of first degree attempted murder in June. 

In 2015, Rodriguez left a Port St. Lucie bar and returned with a cup of gasoline that he tossed on his victim. As the two fought outside, Rodriguez lit that man's shirt.

The victim, Brian Johnston, had to undergo a number of surgeries.

"Justice was served. Great day, now I can get on with my life," said Johnston.

The day after the altercation, Rodriguez was seen on a pawn shop surveillance video telling the manager he was planning to go out of town.

In fact, Rodriguez left the country and was picked up nine months later in Puerto Rico.