The former White House lawyer from New Canaan convicted of trying to kill his wife was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison.

John Michael Farren was found guilty in July on charges he beat his wife with a metal flashlight and tried to strangle her four years ago after she had filed for divorce.

It was an emotional morning at the Stamford Courthouse as family members and others spoke at his sentencing. Farren stood before the court and did not speak about the case at all, but rather insisted that the charges be dropped because the court appointed his attorneys.

Farren's former wife Mary read a statement telling the judge that she still lives in fear. Her statement was followed by the reading of a letter written by the couple's now 11-year-old daughter, who was with her mother after the attack.

An attorney for Farren says he has already filed an appeal to his conviction, but the judge denied him bail during that process.