New Jersey ? A rabbi convicted of hiring two hitmen to kill his wife was spared the death penalty Friday and sentenced to life in prison.

Rabbi Fred J. Neulander, a founder of a large suburban Philadelphia congregation, was convicted Wednesday of murder and murder conspiracy in the bludgeoning death of Carol Neulander.

Prosecutors said the 61-year-old rabbi had his 52-year-old wife killed so he could continue an extramarital affair with a woman who hosted a Philadelphia radio show.

Friday morning, the rabbi pleaded with the jury to spare his life.