Bodybuilding couple get prison time

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A prominent bodybuilding couple have been sentenced to long terms in Nevada prisons for killing their personal assistant.

Craig Titus, who competed for the title of Mr. Olympia, received a 21- to 55-year term Friday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. His wife, Kelly Ryan, a runner-up for the Ms. Olympia title, got six to 26 years.

The body of Melissa James was found in December 2005 in Ryan's Jaguar. Both body and car had been burned.

Titus and Ryan both pleaded guilty, Titus to second-degree murder and his wife to arson and battery. During the sentencing hearing, Titus claimed the killing was accidental, that he and James had gotten into a fight after taking drugs.

Both husband and wife apologized for the death and wept during the hearing. But District Judge Jackie Glass was not impressed.

"The tears are crocodile tears," Glass said.

She said they did their best to destroy James's body.