SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — An Oviedo woman found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her estranged husband was sentenced on Monday.
Anita Smithey, 46, was sentenced by a Seminole County judge to 40 years in prison.
Smithey's best friend cried as she pleaded with the judge to give Smithey the minimum sentence of 25 years for killing Robert Cline.
"Her life is in your hands, and I'm begging you to show her mercy," her friend said.
In November, a jury found Smithey guilty of shooting and killing Cline in 2010.
At her trial, defense attorneys said Smithey shot Cline in self-defense as he raped her at knifepoint following consensual sex between the two.
Prosecutors said Smithey shot Cline and then stabbed herself to make it appear that she was the victim.
Smithey's brother and son told the court that she was a loving, compassionate person.
"I just want you to know she's not a monster," her son said. "She's my everything."
Smithey collapsed into the arms of her attorney when the guilty verdict was read. But she showed little emotion on Monday as the sentence was handed down.
The state asked for a life sentence in the case.
Prosecutor Kelly Jo Hines said she is satisfied with both the conviction and the sentence.
"We're just hopeful that both of those things help the family get some sort of closure for the situation," Hines said.
WFTV
