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A former Louisville EMT was sentenced to 12 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to reckless homicide in the death of his wife.

According to WAVE-TV in Loiusville, Michael Whitehead admitted to police he used stolen drugs and medical equipment to treat his wife, 24-year-old Ashley Whitehead, in March 2009. She reportedly suffered from Crohn's disease, a painful inflammatory bowel disease.

During Tuesday's proceedings, Whitehead appeared visibly shaken as he fought back tears. His attorney, Don Major, told the court that the death of Ashley Whitehead was nothing more than a tragic accident and requested that the judge grant probation instead of the prison time Whitehead agreed to as part of his plea bargain.

Judge Irv Maze denied the request for probation and ordered Whitehead to serve the full 12 years, as agreed to in his plea deal.

Since this is Whitehead's first offense, he is eligible for shock probation, and his attorney has between up to six months to request it.