Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of domestic violence.

A former construction business owner prosecutors described as “depraved” was sentenced Tuesday to just over 20 years for attempting to murder his wife and killing her dog in 2023.

Mark J. Fox, 54, of Salem, pleaded guilty last year to repeatedly stabbing his now ex-wife and her dog during an attack on Nov. 8, 2023, in violation of a previous restraining order.

Marion County Circuit Court Judge James Edmonds sentenced Fox to 20 years and one month in state prison for the attempted murder and assault of his then-wife, animal abuse and previously strangling his wife. He was also sentenced to three years of post-prison supervision.

Fox was the founder and former owner of White Oak Construction, a commercial construction

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