WEST CHESTER, Pa.—A suburban Philadelphia man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his wife outside the convenience store where she worked now says he wants to go to trial.

James Hvizda had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in May for killing his wife, Kimberly, on March 25 outside the store in Upper Uwchlan (YEW-klin) Township, Chester County.

Investigators say Hvizda stabbed her multiple times and slashed her throat before turning himself in to police.

During a sentencing hearing Thursday, he said he wants to take his chances at trial, even if it means a death penalty, rather than accept the prosecution's offer of a life sentence without parole.

Prosecutors said they would have pursued the death penalty because the victim obtained a protection from abuse order against her husband before her slaying.