Wife jailed for life over Valentine’s Day killing

updated 3:44 a.m. ET May 2, 2009

HACKENSACK, N.J. - A woman convicted of intentionally causing her husband's drug overdose death on Valentine's Day six years ago has been sentenced to life in prison.

Debra Aquilina, of Garfield, N.J., insisted at her Friday sentencing she didn't kill her husband.

Prosecutors said the 51-year-old Aquilina conspired with her son to kill 45-year-old Ralph Ludvik Jr. so she could take title to his house. She had married him six months earlier.

The death initially was ruled an accidental heroin overdose. But authorities reopened the investigation after a tip from a jailhouse informant.

Aquilina's son was convicted previously and is serving a 44-year sentence.

More from msnbc.com What do you remember? Take our weekly quiz ‘Three Cups of Tea’ advice for Obama Will nuclear fusion fade ... or finally flare? World Cup or world stage? N. Korea on display Afghanistan's dogs of war sniff out mines On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Report: Va. Tech alert was delayed   Jail frees wrong inmate named ‘Ismail’ Man in stolen cell phone pic turns himself in Fort Hood cop says her career cut short Ind. teen charged with strangling brother, 10 Ohio serial killer suspect pleads insanity SUV runs into Ind. day care; 4 kids hurt Suspect in Levy killing faces new charges Would-be thief sends kind store owner $50 Woman dragged to death by limo in L.A. Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: