Charlotte man gets 20 years in wife's death

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Charlotte disc jockey has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for the death of his wife more than a year ago.

Brandon Blakeney entered an Alford plea in court in Charlotte on Thursday. An Alford plea does not admit guilty, but does acknowledge there is enough evidence for a conviction.

Blakeney was sentenced to between 20 years and 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors say he strangled 34-year-old Catherine Blakeney in 2011 and lived in their home with her body for several weeks. Her body was found a few days after Christmas.

A prosecutor said Blakeney also used a debit card his wife had been issued to collect unemployment benefits.

Brandon Blakeney had worked as a DJ in Charlotte clubs.