"I want to see my father put in jail for life," Justin Thamby said as his father, 51-year-old Soman "Sam" Thamby, sat 10 feet away, waiting to learn his fate. "He killed my mother, who was my best friend … He broke my heart."

Circuit Court Judge Philip T. Caroom sentenced Thamby to 30 years in prison for the second-degree murder of 35-year-old Lesa Thamby, but suspended all but 18 years. Upon his release from prison, Thamby, who has lived in the United States for about 20 years, must contact federal immigration officials to be deported to India.

State sentencing guidelines recommended Thamby serve 12 to 20 years in prison.

However, Assistant State's Attorney Pamela Alban argued Thamby deserved 30 years - the maximum allowed under law for the May 5, 2007, murder. She said he stabbed Mrs. Thamby to death in the kitchen of their Brooklyn Park home while two of their children were in the living room and his mother-in-law was banging on the front door.

"These actions are of a depraved, vicious and uncaring man," she said.

Warren A. Brown, Thamby's attorney, argued his client deserved only 12 years for the murder. He said Thamby has a clean criminal record, was working two jobs at the time of the murder to support his family, and never meant to kill his wife.

He also argued Mrs. Thamby tried to stab her husband before he disarmed her, picked up the knife and stabbed her twice in the chest.

About a dozen of Mrs. Thamby's friends and family members attended the hearing yesterday at the county's Circuit Courthouse in Annapolis, but only Justin and Tina Staley, Mrs. Thamby's sister, addressed the court.

Mrs. Staley, who begged the court to send Thamby away for 30 years, described her sister as a "sweet and gentle person" who was dedicated to her three children.

"She would do anything for anyone and expect nothing in return," she said.

Mrs. Staley said Thamby seemed to only work and sleep. She said he tried to control her sister's every move and played with the kids only when people were watching.

"He didn't seem like he cared for us the past three years," said Justin.

Thamby apologized for the death of his wife, even though he maintains he didn't mean to kill her and told state prison officials in an interview that he was trying to keep her from committing suicide.

"I am extremely sorry for whatever happened," he said after an extended pause.

While reading off a piece of paper on the table in front of him, he addressed his three children.

"Your daddy still loves you," he said.

Those kind words, however, fell on deaf ears.

As his father spoke, Justin sat in the courtroom shaking his head from side to side.

Victims of domestic violence may call the YWCA's Domestic Violence Hotline at 410-222-6800.