Philly area man convicted in wife's shotgun death

WEST CHESTER -- A man was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his wife last year.

Michael Sheller, 48, who authorities said shot Christine Love-Sheller with a shotgun on Feb. 4, 2006, and tried to kill himself, was convicted of the least serious charge against him. Jurors, who deliberated about four hours, acquitted him Tuesday of possession of an instrument of crime.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Rongaus argued for a first-degree murder conviction, calling the shooting an "intentional killing without any type of justification."

Defense attorney Joseph Green argued for voluntary manslaughter, saying Sheller shot his wife in a heat of passion after she allegedly admitted to having an affair. Green argued that Sheller had a major depressive disorder due to factors including a possible divorce, a rift with his children and a disorderly house.

Green said the maximum sentence for the conviction was 10 to 20 years, and sentencing guidelines called for a minimum term of 4.5 to 6 years.