Rafael Rosario originally was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Yessica Bruguera at their home near Greenacres.

WEST PALM BEACH — A 63-year-old man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his 36-year-old wife near Greenacres in 2017 pleaded guilty to lesser charges Thursday morning.

Rafael Rosario was sentenced to 15 years in prison for one count of manslaughter by Circuit Judge John Kastrenakes. Rosario, who was represented by Assistant Public Defender Scott Pribble, stood with his hands cuffed, listening to the conditions of the plea deal through a Spanish-language interpreter. Assistant State Attorney Richard Clausi read the facts of the case aloud in court before Rosario was sentenced.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies said Rosario shot and killed his wife, Yessica Bruguera, after an argument on Jan. 30, 2017. Rosario originally called a deputy he knew and told him what allegedly happened. He said his wife of three months came at him with a knife and that he was defending himself.

"I (expletive) up," Rosario told the deputy. "My wife tried to stab me and I shot her."

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He later told investigators, while he was at Wellington Regional Medical Center suffering from "chest pains," that he had "lost control" and killed her because she was leaving him. In July, Kastrenakes ruled the confession could not be used in court — unless Rosario decided to testify during trial — because deputies violated Rosario's Miranda rights. Kastrenakes said deputies deflected responding to Rosario when he asked to call someone. Later in his interview at the hospital, he said he wanted to call his cousin who knew an attorney.

Bruguera's family told investigators at the time of the fatal shooting that Rosario was in control of the woman's life. They explained he made her family schedule "appointments" to see her.

Pedro Mendez, Bruguera's father, spoke through an interpreter in court Thursday and said he was disappointed by the plea deal.

He said his daughter had three children and they still are devastated. He said there are times when they will disappear for hours and then family will find them crying at their mother's grave.

"The life of somebody you love, you think justice is going to be done," he told Kastrenakes, breaking up.

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Rosario was given credit for the nearly two years he's spent in jail awaiting trial. Mendez didn't think his daughter's killer was going to change.

"In 13 more years, when he's released, he's going to be the same and kill someone else," Mendez said.

Kastranakes interrupted Mendez, who grew more emotional as he spoke about his daughter.

"I'm sorry for your loss. No one should have to suffer the loss of a child," Kastranakes said, also apologizing because Mendez thought the plea was not enough of a punishment for taking his daughter's life. "I hope you're able to move forward with your life and enjoy your grandchildren."