Jones County Circuit Judge Billy Joe Landrum sentenced former Laurel physician Malachy DeHenre Thursday morning to serve 20 years in prison for killing his wife 11 years ago. A jury convicted DeHenre of manslaughter in January following a three-day murder trial. The sentence is the maximum for a manslaughter conviction.

DeHenre was convicted of killing his wife, Dr. Nyasah DeHenre, at their Laurel residence on Jan. 23, 1997. DeHenre’s first trial 10 years ago ended in a mistrial, with an 11-1 vote by the jury for acquittal.

Three of four of DeHenre’s children made pleas to the judge for a lesser sentence.

DeHenre took the stand in his own defense during the trial, testifying for nearly an hour. He said he did not shoot his wife, that she was holding the gun and when he tried to stop her from shooting herself, the gun discharged.