Pueblo Woman Gets 20 Years For Killing Husband

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - A Pueblo woman who admitted killing her husband in 2009 and burying his body in a shallow grave has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Sonia Mitchell, 26, told the court during her sentencing hearing that she endured years of physical and emotional abuse. She said she was sexually assaulted by her husband, 26-year-old Brian Swartz, the day she killed him. The Pueblo Chieftain reported that she said she "snapped."

District Judge David Crockenberg said Friday that Mitchell's behavior after the death made him doubt her story. Mitchell initially told police that Swartz had been kidnapped by Mexican nationals.

In June, Mitchell pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the heat of passion. She faced up to 32 years.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)