To the disappointment of both his defense counsel and the prosecutor, Denny Winner was ordered to spend at least the next 19 years in a state prison for stabbing his wife to death.

His lawyer, Joe Keckskemethy of Butler, had been hoping for less for his client, who had never been charged with a crime until he was charged with murder.

Assistant District Attorney Jerry Cassady had argued to Judge William Shaffer for the maximum allowed by law -- 62 years behind bars.

For the handful of friends and family of Lynette Winner, who died two years ago from stab wounds, nothing short of life would have been enough. "That's it? I can't believe it,'' exclaimed Kathryn Helszer, who held a framed picture of her friend throughout today's sentencing hearing in Butler County Court.

Mr. Winner, 46, had been charged with a general count of homicide. He pleaded no contest to third-degree murder, arson and abuse of a corpse Sept. 15, days before his trial was to have begun.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.