WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A woman convicted of orchestrating the beating deaths of her millionaire husband and mother-in-law was sentenced Monday to life in prison. The judge also called her a coward for skipping the court session.

Narcy Novack, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., waived her right to appear at the sentencing, apparently in protest, and listened from a prisoner holding area in an adjoining room.