WOODBURY, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey man sentenced to 15 years in the death of his wife, whose body was found in their backyard swimming pool, apologized to the victim's family but called her death an accident.

Fifty-three-year-old Norman Long was originally charged with murder in the June 2017 death of 47-year-old Michelle Long but pleaded guilty in March to aggravated manslaughter.

NJ.com reports that Long called it "a terrible, tragic accident for which I take full responsibility." He said Friday he was ashamed of his "cowardice" and asked the victim's family for forgiveness, adding the he hoped one day to be allowed to to explain what happened.

Gloucester County prosecutors said Long told first responders that his wife drowned, but an autopsy concluded that she died of blunt force trauma.

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Information from: NJ.com, http://www.nj.com

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5/4/2019 11:30:28 AM (GMT -4:00)