RIVERTON (WNE) — Convicted of manslaughter for her husband’s death, BenniLee Strock was sentenced Tuesday to 15-20 years in prison.

The 40-year-old Pavillion woman, who was 39 when she committed the crime, had been drinking with her husband on Christmas Eve 2020. The pair returned home, quarreling, and Strock stabbed her husband, Jeffrey Strock, once in the shoulder area of his back, and once in his chest.

“I hope on your own time, you will find it in your hearts to forgive me, as I have loved and still love Jeffrey, and miss him every day,” said Strock during her sentencing hearing in Fremont County District Court on Tuesday morning.

She said she was addressing everyone in the courtroom. The gallery was full with family from both sides, including at least one of Strock’s four sons, and the late Jeffrey Strock’s mother.

“I am ready to face the consequences that lie before me… to accept it with responsibility and accountability.”

Strock had pleaded guilty to manslaughter Sept. 21. She was charged initially with second degree murder. However, she received a plea agreement after District Court Judge Marv Tyler removed her murder confession from the pool of evidence due to an error in the deliverance of her Miranda rights.

“When Jeffrey Strock was stabbed, the first thing the defendant did was take that knife and put it in the sink,” said Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun.

LeBrun argued for the maximum term of sentencing for the manslaughter charge, 15-20 years.