An Orem man pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter in a plea deal for the stabbing death of his wife, despite the objections of the woman’s family.

Roberto Aguirre Ramirez, 28, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a second-degree felony, for the killing of his wife, Norma Villalobos-Guzman, and possession or use of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and possession of a controlled substance, both third-degree felonies. He also pleaded guilty to a class A misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice.

Ramirez faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 6. However, he was sent to prison Wednesday after admitting to a violation of his probation in a prior drug case. He violated probation by re-entering the United States illegally and by his conviction in the murder case.

Villalobos-Guzman’s brother, Rodolfo Villalobos, addressed the court before Ramirez pleaded guilty. He said he understood the prosecutors’ reasoning and why they believed they needed to make the plea deal, but he said he still did not agree. Villalobos read a statement, saying the family believes Ramirez planned the murder of his wife. He said Ramirez often threatened his wife and other family members living in the home during arguments.

“A fair sentence would be a life sentence to this man, if you can call him that,” he said.

Police say Ramirez stabbed his wife, Norma Villalobos-Guzman, on Jan. 4 after an argument. She died later that day after several hours of open heart surgery at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a roommate was preparing a bottle for his infant at the time of the stabbing in the home near 500 East and Sage Circle in Orem. The roommate reported hearing arguing between the couple in a bedroom. The woman reportedly entered the kitchen covered in blood and told the man her back hurt and to call police. Ramirez then exited the bedroom, also covered in blood and carrying a knife, and told his wife, “You and I are going to die today,” according to the affidavit. The roommate allegedly witnessed Ramirez stab himself, and the witness left the home and called police.

Prosecutor Doug Finch said it is often difficult to make the right decision about justice and what is appropriate in a case. He said prosecutors need to look at the evidence and what is reasonable to prove.

“Based upon the circumstances of this case, we determined that there was a mutually volatile relationship between the defendant and the victim here,” he said.

Finch said the violent event that occurred was in a bedroom where only two people were present, and one of them died. Though prosecutors firmly believe Ramirez killed his wife through no fault of her own, Finch said, they also believe the couple were both under extreme emotional distress at the time. He said investigators were unable to account for all of the stab wounds and injuries to Ramirez that doctors found.

“While none of that justifies Mr. Ramirez stabbing Ms. Guzman, we felt as a matter of justice for the state of Utah that manslaughter best fit the circumstances of this death,” he said.

Defense attorney Richard Gale read Ramirez’s statement admitting guilt to the court, in which he said he was attacked by his wife. In the statement, Ramirez said he was unemployed at the time and the couple had been evicted. He was cutting tape and boxes with a very sharp knife while the couple packed to move, Gale said, and a heated argument ensued about the living situation.

Tired of arguing, Ramirez said he went to his room to lie down. Guzman then entered the room and began sticking the knife in his chest, causing small punctures. At that point, Ramirez said he took the knife and stabbed Guzman in the chest. She fell on the bed, and he went to look for a phone to call for help, but could not find one, the statement read. He returned to the room, where Guzman told him she was sorry and asked him to forgive her, saying she loved him, he said.

“I felt she was saying this because she was dying,” Ramirez said in the statement. “I was very distraught over the situation.”

Ramirez began stabbing himself, at which point another person called for help.

Prosecutors say Ramirez made false statements to police when they were investigating the case, saying another person was responsible.

Attorneys have agreed that Ramirez’s prison sentences in the case will be concurrent. He will also be deported after serving his sentence.