A professor who beat his wife to death as she wrapped Christmas gifts is set to be paroled after five years in prison.

Ellen Gregory Robb was murdered by Dr. Rafael Robb in December 2006 in a bid to avoid a costly divorce.

Now 61, the former University of Pennsylvania professor is scheduled to be freed on Jan. 28.

However, the victim's family is appalled that Robb has been granted parole on his first attempt.

The victim's brother, Gary Gregory, remembered arriving at the crime scene. It was the day his sister was supposed to start a fresh life, he said, because she was leaving her husband.

"I drove up to the house, I saw them loading her body in the ambulance," Gregory recalled. "The judge said this is the most horrific crime ever in Montgomery County. Now he's being set free."

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The attorney who represented Robb said his client had served his time.

The parole board would not comment on the case aside from a written notice sent to Robb which outlines the reasons he's being freed.

The statement said he'd taken responsibility for his crime and has shown good behavior.

That's not good enough for Gregory, who is now helping to raise his slain sister's daughter. 

"This isn't a shoplifting case. He took someone's life," he added. "That's wrong."

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