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Santa Ana Man Gets 50 Years In Prison For Killing Wife

SANTA ANA (AP) — An Orange County man has been sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for killing his wife after he became upset about the couple's financial affairs.

Prosecutors say 58-year-old Michael Upton was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for use of a firearm in Orange County
Superior Court in Santa Ana.

Prosecutors say Upton shot his 57-year-old wife Melva in the head June 30 while she was sleeping, then took several Vicodin pills and called 911.

Farrah Emami, a spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney's office, says Upton was upset about the couple's financial affairs after they lost their jobs and had trouble paying
rent.

A message was left for Upton's attorney Michael Becker.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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