Hmm, I am curious how he qualifies for the services of a federal public defender when he took his whole family on a cruise?  Guess all his assets are frozen ?  He might want to think about a plea in exchange for life in prison. It would save his family and children from going through a trial. It would keep the children and rest of the family from going through painful times.  He can't bring his beautiful wife and mother of his three children back but he could take responsibility for his crime, save the family more pain, and take his punishment like a man. 
Most men, real men, do not punch out their wives and kill them. They respect them. So he may have to grow up before he becomes a real man and hopefully he has the rest of his life in prison in which to do it !