SPOKANE, Wash.-- A Spokane woman was sentenced Tuesday for the murder of her husband.
Last month, a jury found Shellye Stark guilty of First Degree Murder, for the second time. Stark shot her husband Dale to death in 2006. A judge sentenced her to 25 years in prison and 36 months in community custody.
A previous jury found Stark guilty but an appeals court overturned the conviction
Shelly Stark spoke in court and offered an apology to her husband's family and friends.
Before the judge handed down the sentence, guests talked to the judge about the lasting effect Dale's murder has had on his family.
One read a letter from his mother. 'When she took my son's life, it seemed as if I received a life sentence, a life of grief pain and mourning my son's death...I am 85 years old and my son is dead because a woman who I consider part of my family decided that she had the right to kill him,' said the letter.
Prosecution argued stark and her boyfriend murdered dale for $400,000 dollars in insurance money. 'I never intended to cause the death of my husband,' said Stark. 'I want everyone who truly knew my husband to know that I am so remorseful. I am sorry.'
Stark will be given credit for the five years she's already served.
