MUSKEGON, Mich. -- A Michigan woman was sentenced to 20 years in jail for trying to have her husband killed.

Julia Merfeld was caught on surveillance video while she made a deal to have a man kill her husband.

Turns out that hitman was actually an undercover cop.

The woman will spend at least five and a half years in prison and could face up to 20 years.

Her husband even defended his wife and asked the judge for leniency on his wife's behalf.

"I whole heartedly forgive my wife for all she has done in this act of hatred," said the husband Jake Merfeld.

The wife said she thought carrying this act out would be easier than going through a divorce.