"This is a case of self defense," Sites told the judge.

Sites is accused of killing his wife some time in October 2005, cutting up her body and then dumping it in trash bins in an apartment complex.

After she was reported missing, Sites told authorities they had had a falling out and she had moved to California.

Authorities haven't recovered her remains.

Sites claimed that his public defender, Norman Reed, didn't adequately defend him and is appealing the decision to not allow him to withdraw his guilty plea.

Jan Sites' daughter, Michelle Perkins, flew in from Kentucky to attend the sentencing. Perkins said she wished the judge had sentenced Sites to the maximum sentence -- 15 years to life - and that she still was seeking closure.

William Sites "doesn't know what void she filled in my life," Perkins said.

Sites pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, theft and destroying evidence.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-1039.