GREENE COUNTY, Mo. – A Greene County man who pleaded guilty to attacking his wife with a claw hammer has been sentenced to life in prison.

Robert P. Hess was sentenced Friday on a charge of domestic assault. He also received a 3-year sentence for armed criminal action in connection with the September 20, 2015 attack at their home in Springfield.

According to a probable cause statement, called the police to report he had killed his wife by striking her in the head with a hammer. Officers arrived at the scene to find Hess’ wife in a bedroom with the claw end of a clawhammer embedded in her head.

She was rushed to an area hospital where she was in critical condition for some time.

Hess’ sentence for armed criminal action is to be served concurrently with the life sentence.