ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – An Ithaca man could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

On June 10, 44-year-old Ahmed Abed pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder for intentionally causing the death of his wife, 43-year-old Alaa Hussein Jeena Abedi, last November.

According to court documents, Abed used a blunt object and a kitchen knife on Abedi and allegedly told Ithaca Police at the time he “intended” to kill his wife.

Abed, who turned himself in after the crime and was indicted on December 5, 2024, faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to 25 years to life. Tompkins County District Attorney Matt Van Houten said there was not enough evidence to support a first-degree murder charge.

Murder in the first-degree, Penal Law Section 125.27, “is applicable to very limited circumstances such as intentionally causing the death of a first responder or judge, or committing serial murders, for example, none of which were present in this case.”

Due to the severity of the crime, Van Houten says he will seek the maximum penalty.

“I will be asking the court to impose the maximum sentence for this brutal and heinous act of violence,” stated Van Houten. “If I could ask for a greater sentence, I would. There is nothing that will truly amount to justice in this tragic case. The fact that the defendant accepted responsibility, pleading guilty to the indictment and saving his children and the community the trauma of enduring a lengthy trial, is the right outcome under the law, and one that certainly advances public safety.”

Van Houten adds that the prosecution offered no plea deals in the case.

Abed remains in Tompkins County Jail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for August 19, 2025.