RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA News)  —-  Defense attorneys for a man facing life in prison, put his family on the stand during the third day of his sentencing hearing in Rapid City.

30-year-old Jonathan Klinetobe pleaded guilty to Aiding and Abetting First Degree Manslaughter in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Jessice Rehfeld of Rapid City back in 2015. Prosecutors say Klinetobe arranged the kidnapping, stabbing and burial after Rehfeld ended a relationship with him.

Klinetobe’s mother and sister took the stand on Wednesday. Both described a troubled and abusive childhood for Klinetobe, at the hands of his step-father. His mother testified about arranging mental health care for Klinetobe, and said that he first tried to kill himself when he was 8 or 9 years old.

Klinetobe could be sentenced to life without parole in the death of Rehfeld.