Man Pleads Guilty To Torching Brooklyn Woman In Elevator

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man has pleaded guilty to torching a woman to death inside the elevator of her Brooklyn apartment building.

Jerome Isaac, 48, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, torture and arson in the December 2011 death of Deloris Gillespie, Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced Wednesday.

On Dec. 17, 2011, Isaac cornered the 73-year-old in an elevator in her Prospect Heights building, sprayed her with gasoline, then lit her on fire because he believed she owed him $2,000, prosecutors said.

The mother of four died of burns and smoke inhalation, according to a criminal complaint.

Gillespie's family said she'd been trying to help Isaac, but fired him because he was stealing from her.

Isaac is expected to get 50 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on November 30.