AP 2011-03-12（在线收听）

A former New York television executive has been sentenced to 25 years to life for beheading his wife. That's the maximum sentence that Muzzammil Hassan could receive.

“Given the horrific nature of this crime and your persistent refusal or inability or unwillingness to accept any responsibility for it, justice demands that you receive nothing less.”

Back in 2009, Hassan walked into an upstate New York police station to say his estranged wife was dead. Police then found her stabbed and decapitated body at the TV station they both ran. He had claimed he was the victim of spousal abuse and acted in self-defense. However, the judge said, he wasn’t buying that.

“You went out. You bought two hunting knives. You tested them for sharpness. You laid in wait in a darkened hallway. You ambushed your unsuspecting wife. And you butchered her. Self-defense? I don't think so.”

Hassan did express deep regret at the sentencing. However, the judge said his actions crumped those words. Hassan can still appeal his sentence.