Man sentenced to 26 1/2 years in stabbing death of ex-wife, says 'I deserve the death penalty'

SEATTLE -- A man who admitted to stabbing his ex-wife to death in 2013 was sentenced to 26 1/2 years in prison Friday.

“I want to say I’m sorry, in front of my ex-wife's family, in front of my son, in front of court and in front of all the people of Washington state. And in my opinion, I deserve the death penalty," said Aleksandr Polak.

Polak stabbed his ex-wife, Nataliya Vabishchevich, more than 70 times in her Bellevue home in June 2013. A co-worker found her when she didn't show up for work.

Prosecutors said she was afraid for h er life after the couple divorced.

After the slaying, Polak fled on a bus and was later arrested in Los Angeles.