Steven Acuna gets 22 years for killing wife Randy 'Amanda' Lehrer

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Steven Acuna, 40, killed his 32-year-old wife, Randy 'Amanda' Lehrer, after a fight at their Jersey City Heights home in August 2011
The couple have a daughter, 3, who is now in the care of Lehrer's parents

PUBLISHED: 11:03 EST, 11 March 2014 | UPDATED: 16:28 EST, 11 March 2014

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A husband who strangled his wife and stuffed her body in a 55-gallon drum has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Steven Acuna, 40, killed his 32-year-old wife, Randy 'Amanda' Lehrer, after a fight at their Jersey City Heights home in August 2011, according to Hudson County prosecutors.

Authorities have said Acuna filled the 55-gallon drum with cement after he put Lehrer's body inside.

Steven Acuna, 40, (pictured with his daughter) has been jailed for 22 years for murdering his wife and stuffing her body in a 55-gallon drum at their New Jersey home in 2011

Randy 'Amanda' Lehrer, 32, disappeared in August 2011 after a fight with her husband at their home. Her body was found in a drum in the basement a month later

The following month, investigators found the drum in the basement of the building where the couple lived.

Miss Lehrer’s mother, Rose Moncarz, said police identified her daughter’s body by her tattoos.

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Acuna pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in October.

Acuna, 40, will spend the next two decades in jail

The couple had a daughter who is now three years old and is in the care of Lehrer's parents.

Miss Lehrer was last seen arguing with her husband on the day she disappeared.

She was reported missing five days later on August 17 by Mr Acuna.

Miss Lehrer's boss, Andreas Diakos, said Acuna called the restaurant where his wife worked three days after the argument.

He told her employer that Miss Lehrer went to visit her sick mother in Canada, and would not be coming to work.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Acuna moved to Toms River after Lehrer vanished.

Before his arrest, police said Mr Acuna was uncooperative with investigators, and refused to be interviewed without a lawyer present.

Judge Paul DePascale ordered no early release for Acuna when he was sentenced on Friday, according to nj.com. Acuna spoke briefly to apologize to Lehrer's family at his sentencing.

Steven Acuna, left, is led by officials during his first appearance at Central Judicial Processing Court in 2011

Jersey City man who strangled wife, stuffed body in 55-gallon drum sentenced to 22 years

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LWGII, Baltimore, 2 hours ago

Never, ever talk to the police without a lawyer. It's a shame the article describes him as "uncooperative". If you are innocent, talking to the police will NEVER help you.

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Rachel123456, Middle Earth, United States, 2 hours ago

Some people are really evil.

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ElDarado, atl, United States, 3 hours ago

why would he get 22 years?? while other with crimes just as heinous can get life or death penalty?? doesnt make any sense...

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whateverisay, Texas, USA, 3 hours ago

22? That's it?

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Han Fin, West Hollywood, United States, 4 hours ago

22 years to eat, sleep, watch TV and get fat? Why not give'm a cyanide bill, stuff'em down a 55 gallon drum, then pour cement over his body?

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Just sayn, Charlotte NC, 4 hours ago

22 years, how is that justice? Her child was a newborn when he killed her. So sad.

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Gina, San Diego, 4 hours ago

Evil..

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JC, Chicago, USA, 4 hours ago

22 years?! That's it?!

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Harry Stamper, Somewhere AZ, United States, 4 hours ago

Why isnt if you are found 100% guilty of murder then you must die why keep you alive for taking someone else life besides self defense on certain circumstances but let him die !!!!