A Superior Court judge has sentenced John Heath, 70, of Bridgewater to 50 years in prison for the 1984 slaying of his wife, Elizabeth, who was then 32 years old.

A jury convicted Heath in October of beating his wife to death, wrapping her remains in bedding and garbage bags, and then stuffing them into a dry well located beneath the floor of a barn at the Heaths' 89 Poverty Hollow Road property in Newtown.

The prosecution in the case had asked for a sentence of 53 to 60 years. The defense argued for a 25-year sentence.

More details on the sentencing will appear here and in the 12/20/13 edition of The Newtown Bee.