Man Gets Life Sentence for 'Curious George' Writer Killing

July 17, 2008 — -- A man convicted of killing "Curious George" collaborator Alan Shalleck in South Florida has been spared the death penalty.

A judge sentenced Vincent Puglisi to life in prison on Wednesday after ajury found him guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a deadlyweapon.

His co-defendant Rex Ditto was given a life sentence in 2007.

Authorities said the pair went to Shalleck's home in February 2006intending to rob him.

Shalleck suffered 83 blunt force injuries and more than three dozen stabwounds.

Shalleck wrote and directed episodes of "Curious George" and co-wrotebooks with Margret Rey, who created the mischievous monkey with her husbandmore than 60 years ago.