100 Years Prison for Colorado Man in 1999 Montana Killing

A former Colorado attorney and fly-fishing guide has been sentenced to 100 years in prison after he was found guilty of killing his wife in Montana almost 17 years ago.

Montana District Judge Michael Hayworth sentenced Brian Laird Friday for the 1999 death of Kathryn Laird.

Defense attorney Matt Wald sought a 40-year sentence. He says he will appeal Laird's conviction.

The couple had been married about five months when Kathryn Laird died. She was 28.

Prosecutors allege Laird killed his wife during an argument at their house near Fort Smith. Her body was found floating downstream of Yellowtail Dam in southern Montana.

Authorities had longstanding suspicions about Laird's involvement. But some of the couple's neighbors weren't questioned until 2012.

Laird would be eligible for parole in 25 years.

Reported by the Associated Press