The former Wausau police officer accused of trying to kill his wife by crashing their vehicle into a bridge in Shawano County has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, false imprisonment, second-degree sexual assault and aggravated battery have been dropped. In exchange, Chueng Lee pleaded no contest to lesser charges of recklessly causing great bodily harm to his wife and reckless driving causing great bodily harm.

Both charges are felonies. Recklessly causing great bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of 12 1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. The other charge carries a maximum penalty of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Prosecutors recommended to the judge a prison sentence between five and eight years. The defense agreed. But now it's up to the judge will will sentence Lee on August 5th.

All charges in Marathon County have also been dropped, including kidnapping, second-degree sexual assault, false imprisonment, threats to injure, and stalking - all of which are felonies.

Prosecutors say they built a strong case with lots of evidence incriminating Lee. They were sure his wife would testify against her husband as she did in the preliminary hearing.

The first day of testimony in Lee's trial was Monday. Two of Lee's daughters took the stand and it was soon clear they were conflicted and the case was taking a toll on the family.

"Be it as it may, they still seem to be a closely knit family and you could see if you were in the courtroom it was hard for these children to testify against their father. In fact, the first girl Sunshine - when she got off the stand she threw him a kiss," said Shawano-Menominee District Attorney Greg Parker.

Perhaps the most shocking development today came after court adjourned.

Mrs. Lee told the judge she did not want a no contact order against her husband because she still loves him...and wants to see him...and will wait for him as long as he's locked up.

She will also be given the opportunity to speak at the sentencing.

Lee had been a member of the Wausau Police Department for 15 years before resigning in late 2007.