Former Univ. of Penn professor denied early release in wife's death

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A former University of Pennsylvania professor convicted in the bludgeoning death of his wife in Montgomery County has been denied early release.

Prosecutors announced the decision Monday, saying 65-year-old Rafael Robb is expected to serve his entire 10-year sentence in the 2006 death of Ellen Robb in the couple's Upper Merion home.

District Attorney Kevin Steele said Robb is not expected to be released until 2017, and after that he will be on probation for a decade.

"The District Attorney's Office is dedicated to achieving justice and protecting the safety of our community," Steele said in a statement. "Justice was served by declining this inmate's request for an early releaase and keeping Rafael Robb behind bars until 2017."

The former University of Pennsylvania economics professor pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to five to 10 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.