Husband Sentenced to Prison for Killing Wife

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By John Borsa

Story Published: Nov 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 23, 2009 at 8:11 PM EST

Stephen Shepherd, 59, of Tonawanda, will spend at least 18 years behind bars for the slaying of his wife Constance.

Shepherd was sentenced to 21 years behind bars by State Supreme Court Justice John Mickalski on Monday, but could be released early for good behavior.

Shepherd could have received the maximum of 25 years on the charge of first degree manslaughter.

The original indictment charged Shepherd with second degree murder, but both sides in the case reached a plea deal in October.

"He just expressed his remorse - he can't believe that this happened - and he's going to have to live with it for the rest of his life," said John Jordan, Shepherd's attorney.

Constance Shepherd's body was found in the couple's Sunset Terrace home in May. She was stabbed in the throat with a small sword, police said.

Stephen Shepherd was arrested by state police in the Catskills four days after the slaying.

Police said the couple was having financial difficulties. Their home of nine years was in foreclosure, but they had not moved out of the property.

The father of the home's new owner discovered the woman's body.

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