NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In a surprise announcement, Arthur March received a five-year prison sentence for conspiring to kill his son’s former in-laws -- Lawrence and Carolyn Levine.

A federal judge threw out March's plea agreement and tripled his sentence.

Judge Todd Campbell said he understood March may have made the case against his son Perry March, but an 18-month sentence just ignored the serious and violent nature of March's crime.

Lawrence Levine also read a statement, saying that while the Levine family understood the need to make a plea agreement, they would like to see March get as long a prison sentence as possible, and that they considered him a threat -- and they wanted safeguards that he would not bother them once he was free.

March appeared to be stricken at the news that his plea deal was no good.

March's attorney, Fletcher Long, said that the decision was a "curveball" and that in his 10 years practicing law he had never seen this occur.

When released in no less than three and a half years, March was ordered to stay out of Tennessee and to never contact the Levines or any of the Levines' relatives.

Campbell’s sentence also forbids March from contacting his grandchildren.

When March looked at the list he blurted out: "My granddaughter my grandson ... they're full of (expletive) ... they can go to (expletive)." Then he paused and said "OK, fine.."

It is not known where March will serve out his sentence. That will be determined soon. The judge said he wanted March to serve at place where his medical needs would be met.