OxfordPress.com

HAMILTON — A Hamilton teenager was sentenced to 39 years in prison by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Charles Pater Tuesday, Oct. 14, for his part in the torture of a young disabled woman at her Hanover Twp. home.

Joseph Nagle, 17, of Progress Lane, pleaded guilty in July to aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, complicity to aggravated robbery, felonious assault, two counts of kidnapping and vandalism for assaulting Ashley Clark, 19, all day Feb. 22. Nagle faced a total of 59 years in prison.

Last month, Nagle's girlfriend and codefendant, Cheyenne Blanton, 17, was sentenced by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Nastoff to 44 years in prison for the same charges.

Pater called the case horrific. Ashley Clark's parents told the judge the crime will haunt the family for years.

"This has scarred myself, my daughter... for the rest of our lives," Sheila Clark said.

Nagle and Blanton tied up Clark, shaved her head and beat her so severely that Clark vomited. The couple, who have a baby together, also plotted to steal the car belonging to Sheila Clark.

Nagle addressed the judge during the sentencing hearing offering an apology for his actions.

"What I did was horrible. I deserve to be punished. I deserve to go to prison," Nagle said.

"He is worthy of rehabilitation," said Nagle's mother, Mary, adding she believes her son was influenced by Blanton. "He needs mental health treatment more than incarceration."

Defense attorney Melynda Cook-Reich said Nagle wants to serve his time but still be able to be a father to his young son. She called the 39 year sentence excessive.

"This is essentially a life sentence," she said, noting she represents people convicted for murder who get less prison time.

Sheila Clark said she is satisfied with the sentence.

"We can go on now," she said, adding Ashley is doing "pretty well."

The sentencing was attended by many Butler County Sheriff's detectives and Sheriff Richard Jones.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.