The disbarred Chappaqua lawyer convicted of killing his wife was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years to life in prison.

Carlos Perez-Olivo was found guilty in October of shooting his wife, Peggy, in the back of the head as they drove home to Chappaqua in November 2006.

Perez-Olivo blamed the attack on a carjacker. The defense maintained that the gunman had shot Perez-Olivo in the abdomen and his wife in the head. Prosecutors countered by arguing that the ex-lawyer had just $300 in his bank account when he shot his wife of 30 years to collect her nearly $900,000 life insurance policy.

As he was sentenced, Perez-Olivo stood motionless and never said a word. Perez-Olivo's attorneys say their client and his three children, who supported him throughout the trial, did write letters to the judge asking for leniency.

During the sentencing, Westchester County Court Judge Barbara Zambelli called Perez-Olivo "a master of deceit who contrived a diabolical plan."

Perez-Olivo's three children say they still believe their father is innocent and want him back in their lives. The oldest, Carlitos Perez Hall, held back tears in court as defense attorney Christopher McClure read a letter written on the children?s behalf, asking the judge for leniency.

?It is impossible to describe the anguish we deal with on a daily basis,? McClure read. ?We are beside ourselves with grief. We will never be normal again.?

McClure says he plans to appeal Perez-Olivo?s conviction.

For courtroom footage of sentencing in Perez-Olivo case, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.

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