Sean Jennings, 38, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder this week, The Spokane Spokesman-Review reported. Under his plea agreement, he faces a 12-year prison sentence.

Jennings' lawyer, Anna Nordtvedt, said he apologized to the judge during his hearing Tuesday and has shown only remorse about his attempt on his wife's life.

"He just felt horrible about the whole thing," Nordtvedt said.

Jennings' wife, who was granted a divorce a month later, told police in October 2007 that he got her to the garage and then handcuffed and blind-folded her before slipping a noose around her neck. She said she struggled with her husband and slipped from his grasp before passing out.

When she regained consciousness her husband told her to treat the rope burn on her neck with aloe vera and hide it with a brace. Two days later, she called police.