Glendale man gets 16 years to life in prison for killing wife, pet Pomeranian

A 46-year-old Glendale man was sentenced today to 16 years to life in prison for killing his wife and microwaving his Pomeranian to death.

John Levin was found guilty of second-degree murder last month after he pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty for microwaving his dog. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge today also sentenced Levin to 8 months in prison for the animal cruelty charge.

Levin was arrested attempting to cross the Canadian border days after the body of his 35-year-old wife, Michelle Levin, and the dog were discovered Sept. 11, 2009, in their North Glendale condominium in the 200 block of West Fairview Avenue.

Authorities said she was stabbed to death three days prior, her body discovered in a locked second-floor bedroom. During a preliminary hearing, officers testified that they found the home littered with dog excrement, rotting food and pills scattered on a table.