ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. – A man convicted of first-degree murder in the kidnapping and killing of a Vermont teacher has been sentenced to life in prison.
But the judge who sentenced Allen Prue on Wednesday refused to impose a sentence of life without parole as prosecutors had asked.
Judge Robert Bent says one mitigating factor in the case was Prue's lack of a criminal history before 2012, when prosecutors say he and his wife lured St. Johnsbury Academy teacher Melissa Jenkins from her home and killed her.
Allen Prue said before being sentenced he felt terrible for what happened but he didn't commit the crime. He blamed the killing on his wife, who has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder.
Prue was convicted in October. His attorney had asked for a sentence of 35 years to life.
