NORWICH - A New Jersey man who allegedly twice beat-up his girlfriend and threatened her life with a crowbar will be in state prison for nearly 10 years. District Attorney Joseph A. McBride reminded the court Thursday that he thought if things went a little differently, there would have been a homicide sentencing.

Phillip A. Morelli, 45, formerly of 27 W. 21st St., Bayonne, N.J., entered an Alford plea to felony counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, burglary in the first degree and criminal mischief in the third degree in April.