Judge denies sentence reduction for woman who killed niece, 3

Melissa Ashton sat quietly sobbing Wednesday as Butler County Judge George Hancher refused to reduce her sentence for killing her 3-year-old niece.

Ashton, 24, of Knauf Lane, had pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to third-degree murder in connection with Taylor Nick's death and was sentenced March 31 to 18 to 40 years in prison.

Defense attorney James Donohue said Ashton could appeal the decision to Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Taylor Nick's mother, Rhonda Edinger, said she was pleased with the judge's decision.

"She basically sentenced us to a lifetime," Edinger said.

Ashton's parents, Judith and Charles Ashton, said they think the sentence is too strong and that their daughter will appeal the decision.

Donohue said the judge did not give adequate weight to the lifelong abuse he said Ashton suffered and did not consider Ashton's rehabilitative needs. He asked that Ashton's sentence be reduced to nine to 18 years.

Ashton's parents gave Hancher a petition signed by 75 people saying they thought the sentence was too harsh. Her parents were not allowed to address the court.

Assistant District Attorney Tod Eberle said the sentence was fair and should not be changed.

"The defense argument overlooks the gravity and impact of the crime," Eberle said. "The crime had an impact in the ultimate way. It ended (Taylor Nick's) life."

Ashton told police she straddled Taylor and slammed her head on the floor at least four times Oct. 30, 2001. Taylor was declared dead the next day at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Oakland.

Ashton told police that she was angry with the girl for lying about wetting the bed and exhausted from having two families living in her small trailer. Taylor's family was staying with Ashton's while waiting to move into an apartment.