JERSEY CITY — Steven Acuna, 40, who was convicted of killing his 32-year old wife at their Jersey City Heights home in August 2011 and then hiding the body in the basement in a 55-gallon drum, was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Acuna was convicted of strangling his wife, Randy “Amanda” Lehrer, during a fight, after which he put the body in a drum and filled it with cement. The boy was found about a month later by investigators in the basement of the Charles Street home.
According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office, Acuna – who originally charged with murder — pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in October. The couple’s toddler girl was put into the care of her grandparents.