Allan Kustok sentenced to 60 years for wife's murder

Allan Kustok was sentenced to 60 years in prison Wednesday after being found guilty of his wife's murder earlier this year.

Kustok was found guilty in March of fatally shooting his wife, Anita "Jeanie" Kustok, at their Orland Park home in 2010. Instead of calling 911, investigators said he waited for a period of time and then took his wife to the hospital, arguing that her death was a suicide.

After a four-week trial, the jury delivered their verdict after deliberating for less than two hours. Prosecutors argued that the path of the bullet along with Kustok's wife's blood on his glasses and clothing proved his guilt. They also claimed that the shooting came as a result of an unhappy marriage in which he had affairs.

Kustok, 63, addressed the court Wednesday saying, "I am innocent of these charges, this is a horrific accident."

He also chose to explain why he never called 911 during the incident, saying, "I wanted to be with her as long as I could because once I gave her up, I knew I would never have that opportunity again."

"I think the defendant got a fair trial, I think every possible motion or argument that could be brought was brought, it was fully heard in the court, and in the end justice prevailed," said Jennifer Gonzalez, prosecutor.

"Very emotionally draining day, I spoke with him a number of times over the last several hours," said Rick Beuke, defense attorney. "His concerns for his daughter and for his son, for his daughter-in-law, grandchildren and Jeanie's family also, his concerns were about everybody else."

Kustok is the father of New York sportscaster Sarah Kustok, who defended her father as a witness in the trial but also said she does not believe her mother would have committed suicide. She was present in court Wednesday and listened as her aunt gave an emotional statement, then closed her eyes when her father spoke. Kustok's son Zak, a former Northwestern quarterback, was not present.

"I don't want to speak for Sarah, but I think her presence speaks volumes about how she supports her father," Beuke said.

Kustok plans to appeal the ruling.