The Iowa City woman who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the 2001 stabbing death of her husband was sentenced today. Phyllis Nelson’s estranged husband, Dr. Richard Nelson,was associate dean at the University of Iowa med school. A 10-year term is mandatory for a voluntary manslaughter conviction, however Nelson’s lawyer and daughter argued against the five year minimum sentence for the use of a knife in a forcible felony. The judge did institute the five year minimum term — but Nelson could still be out of jail in two-and-a-half to three years for good behavior in prison.
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