The cries of a 3-year-old murder victim and the sobs of her killer rang out together in a Butler County courtroom Monday. Melissa Ashton wept as the district attorney replayed a recording of the 911 call she made Oct. 30, 2001, as her niece, Taylor Nick, struggled for life. Butler County Judge George Hancher sentenced Ashton, 24, of Knauf Lane, Jackson, to 18 to 40 years in prison. On Jan. 8, Ashton pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in connection with Taylor's death. When Hancher imposed the sentence, Ashton, who had cried through most of six-hour proceeding, broke down again and said, "I never meant to hurt her." During the 911 call, a seemingly unemotional Ashton told the dispatcher, "(Taylor) was standing there, and all of a sudden she went limp. ... I don't know what's going on." Ashton, when later interviewed by police, told them she had straddled Taylor and slammed her head on the floor at least four times. Taylor was declared dead on Nov. 1, 2001, at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Oakland. Ashton testified that she was angry with the girl for lying about wetting the bed. Ashton also said she was worn out from the extra work of having two families living in her small trailer. Taylor's family was staying with Ashton's while waiting to move into a new apartment. "I was just so overwhelmed," Ashton said yesterday. Taylor's mother, Rhonda Edinger, and Ashton married brothers. Defense attorney David DeFazi said Ashton should be shown leniency because of her hard life. Ashton testified that she was abused as a child and by her husband, Anthony Allison. Allison invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned in court about whether he physically, sexually and emotionally abused Ashton. Assistant District Attorney Tod Eberle said that because Ashton had suffered abuse and felt helpless, "she knows how Taylor felt, she knows what Taylor went through." He added, "She did not give or show that same mercy or leniency." Ashton was pregnant with her third child at the time of the killing. She gave birth to a boy while incarcerated. After the sentencing, Edinger said Ashton deserved a stiff sentence. "I think 18 to 40 years is almost all of her life," Edinger said. "She'll never get to do the things that I can't do with Taylor." During the proceedings, Edinger recalled "holding (Taylor's) hand, caressing her face and begging her to come back to her family" while the child lay in the hospital, hooked to medical monitors. "My family is forever changed by this vicious attack," Edinger testified. "I feel enormous anger toward Melissa." The sentence could have ranged from a minimum of eight years to a maximum of 40 years. Edinger told the judge even 40 years would be too light of a sentence. "My daughter deserves justice. Melissa Ashton deserves to pay for her action," Edinger said. During the proceedings, Ashton read a statement in which she apologized to Edinger. "I know I took your heart. You trusted me with your life, and I took it," Ashton said. "Every time I look in your eyes, all I see is the pain and hurt I have caused you." At the end of the statement, Ashton turned to Edinger and said, "I'm sorry." After the sentencing, Edinger said, "I don't buy her apology." Neither did the judge. Hancher said Ashton seemed more concerned for herself and noted that she repeatedly lied to investigators. Edinger said she thinks that if Ashton had admitted guilt immediately, it might have helped doctors aid Taylor.

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