LA PLATA, Md., —Vincent Anthony Fisher, II, 49, was sentenced to 104 years in prison for setting a fire that killed a young mother and her 18-month-old daughter in Waldorf. The sentencing, handed down by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West, includes two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree arson.
Fisher was convicted by a jury on September 27, 2024, following the March 31, 2022, fire that claimed the lives of Rashawn Cline, 27, and her daughter, Dashawn Cline. The incident unfolded after Fisher was told he could no longer stay at the townhome due to his drug use.
Fatal Night
Firefighters arrived at the townhome to find it engulfed in flames. Once the fire was extinguished, they discovered the bodies of Rashawn and Dashawn in an upstairs bedroom. Investigators determined that Fisher deliberately started the fire by igniting a mattress in the living room before leaving the building.
Security footage from a neighbor’s house captured Fisher approaching the residence before the blaze began. Police recovered two lighters from his clothing and found evidence that he had PCP in his system during the incident.
Fisher had been involved in a physical altercation earlier that night, jumping out of a second-story window during the fight. The fire destroyed the home and caused additional damage to a neighboring property.
Emotional Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie called the act “selfish and pointless,” emphasizing the unimaginable loss caused by Fisher’s actions.
“There is no worse first-degree arson than one that results in the death of two people,” Beattie said.
Judge West described the case as one of the most serious he had ever seen. “A beautiful child, a beautiful family—gone,” he said. “The level of chaos created that night was off the charts.”
Sentence Breakdown
- Second-degree murder of Rashawn Cline: 32 years
- Second-degree murder of Dashawn Cline: 32 years (consecutive)
- First-degree arson (victims’ residence): 25 years (consecutive)
- First-degree arson (neighboring house): 15 years (consecutive)
Community Impact
The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the Waldorf community. Fisher’s sentence brings a measure of justice, but the loss of Rashawn and Dashawn continues to weigh heavily on their family and neighbors.
State’s Attorney Tony Covington thanked law enforcement and first responders for their swift actions, ensuring accountability for the horrific crime.
