Blaine man sentenced to life for killing wife

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — A Blaine man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife in what officials said was a plot for insurance money.

Gary Tomassoni made no statement as he was sentenced by Anoka County Judge Ellen Maas.
The 45-year-old Tomassoni was found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting 45-year-old Helen Tomassoni in the head in the couple's bedroom July 21, 2007.

Prosecutors said Tomassoni planned to shoot his wife because he had crippling gambling debts of about $850,000 and was the beneficiary of her $500,000 life insurance policy.

Tomassoni's defense attorney argued the shooting wasn't premeditated.

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