The End of the Story

Case BackgroundPre-TrialTrial Trial Update: 03.08.10SentenceView Sources

This is going to be an interesting case to follow once it gets started. William Page is accused of sexually assaulting and then taking his 18-month-old daughter out into the freezing cold, leaving her there to die. He then called police and claimed Nyia was kidnapped from his home.

The twist to this case is during the investigation into Nyia’s disappearance it was determined that a 6-year-old male child living in the home had allegedly been sexually assaulted by William Page a few hours prior to Nyia’s reported disappearance.

The judge on the case has ruled at this point that both cases can be tried simultaneously. William Page faces the death penalty if convicted of the murder of his daughter.

Page’s trial was set to start May 5, 2008. However, on the morning of the trial date Page was granted a continuance until January 2009. His attorney claims he needs more time to work on his client’s defense.

Pre-Trial 

Latest Pre-Trial Update

May 27, 2009: Page to get two trials

William Page is charged with crimes against two separate children. He is charged with the murder and sexual assault of his daughter, Nyia. He is also charged with the sexual assault of a six-year-old boy who lived in his home. That alleged sexual assault is supposed to have taken place the day before Nyia’s murder.

Last year, Judge Cashman had ruled all charges would be heard during one trial. Now Judge Cashman has reversed his decision and there will be two trials – the Nyia Page trial will begin with jury selection on October 13. It is not clear when the trial for the sexual assault against the unnamed male child will be held.

The defense basically argued the charges against Page for the sexual assault and murder are bad enough without adding another sexual assault victim to the murder trial as it would surely prejudice the jury. The defense lost in it’s bid to have Page’s confession thrown out, so it will be presented at trial.

I had been under the impression that William Page had decided to have his case decided by a judge instead of a jury but that is not the case – he will have a jury trial for the Nyia Page murder. The prosecution dropped the charge of aggravated assault for kicking Nyia in the groin. He mentioned kicking Nyia in the groin during his confession. The charge was dropped because on autopsy there was no evidence found regarding the kick to the groin.

Continuance

William Page’s non-jury trial has been continued one more time. His new trial date, October 13, 2009, is set to be heard by Judge David R. Cashman in Courtroom 310 at 9 a.m.

October 10, 2009

I checked this evening to see if Willam Page’s murder trial was going to start as scheduled. I don’t know why I was surprised to see according to court documents that Page’s trial date has been pushed back to February 8, 2010. First Page asked for a non-jury trial and he was granted that request. After that there was a series of continuances resulting in a request for a jury trial. Now, with that trial date set to begin, along comes another continuance. I don’t know why the accused should have so many rights.

February 8, 2010

Jury selection is set to begin today in the freezing death of Nyia Page. The defense attorney, Richard Narvin, has asked the judge to remove the death penalty option because his client is autistic. He wants his client to be barred from execution for the same reasons that juveniles and the mentally retarded are exempt.

I couldn’t agree less with Mr. Narvin. I wonder just how much Page’s autism clouds his judgment and in this case it would come down to his ability to know right from wrong. I would suppose it would be up to the prosecution to prove that a reasonably thinking person would understand that placing a partially clad child outside in the snow could possibly result in death. Mr. Page knew what he did was wrong because when it was discovered that Nyia was not inside the warmth of the home, instead of telling his then pregnant wife what he had done, well, he just let it be assumed that someone had come into the home and snatched her away in the middle of the night.

Page has already told investigators that he put Nyia outside in the snow because she had torn off her diaper and would not go back to bed. He also told investigators he had considered throwing Nyia into a sewer, but instead, opted for the playground. There has also been mention in the media that Nyia had trauma to her genital area. Also mentioned is that while police were investigating Nyia’s disappearance, the little boy living in the home told them that Page had molested him that night. All of these actions on the part of Page do not, in my opinion, come close to someone suffering from autism. It just sounds like someone who is a common child molester and murderer and tried to hide his actions and now does not want to pay for his crime with the ultimate penalty. It is too bad Nyia did not have the chance to decide her fate. Although, it was evident from investigators that little Nyia tried to get back to her home and save her own life, her little footprints were seen in the snow near her body.

The judge is expected to rule on the defense request this week.

February 9, 2010

Jury selection expected to begin yesterday has been delayed until Friday due to inclement weather in the region.

February 14, 2010

A hearing was held last regarding William Page’s alleged autism and whether this diagnosis should exclude him from the death penalty.

The defense psychologist said he examined Page over a two day period and determined through that evaluation and examination of past medical records that he suffers from Autism. He said records indicated that as a child Page walked on his tiptoes, separated the food on his plate, frequently washed his hands and had no friends. What struck the psychologist was Page’s lack of emotion and affect; however, his opinion is that Page is not mentally disabled.

The judge is expected to rule on the death penalty issue on Tuesday. Jury selection is expected to begin February 22.

February 16, 2010

Judge Cashman ruled today that William Page is not autistic and therefore he is still eligible to face the death penalty if he is found guilty of murdering his toddler daughter. Cashman’s ruling, in part, stated:

Cashman said Page knows the difference between right and wrong, and noted only the defense psychologist diagnosed Page with autism, “despite the fact that numerous mental health professionals have examined him over the years, including the Allegheny County Behavior Clinic.”

“If one would consider for the sake of argument that Page had demonstrated that he suffered from (autism), that personality disorder does not raise to the level of mental illness nor mental retardation so as to preclude the death penalty”¹

The only problem I have with Cashman’s ruling is him referring to autism as a personality disorder. Autism is a developmental brain disorder. It just shows that he does not understand what he is ruling on and that could leave another reason for appeal.

Trial 

Latest Trial Update

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Mark Vinson Tranquilli, Esq. District Attorney
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Jon Michael Pittman, Esq. District Attorney
Defense: Richard Narvin
Judge: David Cashman
Charges:

1. Criminal Homicide
2. Aggravated Assault
3. Corruption Of Minors
4. Kidnapping For Ransom
5. Agg. Ind. Assault of Child
6. Agg. Ind. Assault W/O Consent
7. False Report – Falsely Incriminate Another

February 18, 2010

Jury selection begins today at the Alleghany County Courthouse. Jury selection is expected to take two weeks.

February 18, 2010: 4 p.m. PST

According to a news report WTAE, jury selection is proving to be a difficult task due to emotional nature of the charges as well as many people being familiar with the case.

I was sitting here thinking about this case this morning and I can’t believe William Page did not choose to try and get a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. It will be interesting to see what facts are presented during the trial because Page’s attorney believes his client will be exonerated.

“I’m looking forward to all the facts being presented to the jury, and after that’s done and the trial is completed, I’m confident that Mr. Page will be vindicated,” defense attorney Richard Narvin said.²

Hmm, it will be interesting.

March 9, 2010

A jury has been seated for the Page trial. The jury consists of 5 women and 7 men. Opening statements being tomorrow.

Sentence 

Sources 

PA Amber Alert: Nyia Page, Missing & Murdered Children.

Comm. v. Page, William Lorenzo, Case Number: CP-02-CR-0002851-2007, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Last Accessed: October 10, 2009.

Daniel Malloy, Braddock Man Accused of Killing Daughter to be Tried Separately in Sex Assaults, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Last Accessed: May 27, 2009.

Bobby Kerlik, Braddock Man Faces Trial in Daughter’s Freezing Death, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Last Accessed: February 8, 2010.

Bobby Kerlik, Trial for Braddock Father Accused in Daughter’s Death Delayed, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Last Accessed: February 9, 2010.

Bobby Kerlik, Autism Diagnosis may take Death off Table for Braddock Man, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Last Accessed: February 14, 2010.

Autism, Wikipedia, Last Accessed: February 16, 2010.

Jury Selection Complete in Frozen Toddler Case, The Pittsburgh Channel.com, Last Accessed: March 9, 2010.

1. Bobby Kerlik, Braddock Father is not Autistic, Judge Rules, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Last Accessed: February 16, 2010. [↩]
2. Emotions Run High in Jury Pool for Frozen Toddler Death Trial, WTAE, Last Accessed: February 18, 2010. [↩]

Case BackgroundTrialSentencingAppeals 12.30.09Sources

Aaron Thompson is charged with over sixty counts of child abuse, some charges include child abuse resulting in death.

Thompson reported his 7-year-old daughter, Aaroné missing in 2005. He claimed at the time that Aaroné had an argument with he and his live-in girlfriend Shelley Lowe over wanting a cookie. According to Thompson, Aaroné stomped out of the house and they were unable to find her.

Police launched a search of the area but did not find the child. After discussing the disappearance with neighbors the police came to believe that Aaroné had not been in the home for at least eighteen months. Thompson did not have a current picture of his daughter. After investigating further it was found that Aaroné was not enrolled in school and the family did not have a bed for her.

Authorities obtained a court order to allow them to dig up the backyard of the residence, thinking perhaps Aaroné had been buried in the backyard. The search was fruitless.

Shelley Lowe and Aaron Thompson were raising seven children together at the time of the investigation. Eventually all of the children were placed in foster homes. They talked about what their lives were like in the home and indicated that Aaroné had also been a victim of severe abuse at the hands of Aaron Thompson. The children also substantiated the investigators’ theory that Aaroné was dead.

Thompson and Lowe lost permanent custody of all seven children. They appealed the decision and lost the appeal.

A grand jury convened and handed up the sixty count indictment. Shelley Lowe was indicted as well; however, she died from a heart attack.

Trial 

Latest Update

August 3, 2009

The trial begins today with jury selection at 8:45 a.m. The jury selection process is expected to last one week.

Opening statements are expected to begin on August 7.

August 6, 2009

The jury has been seated. Opening arguments are set to begin tomorrow morning. (Friday, August 7). If convicted on all charges Thompson faces up to 54 years in prison. Aaroné’s body has never been found. Most of the allegations have to do with Aaroné being beaten, malnourished and not being provided with medical treatment.

August 10, 2009: 2 p.m. PST

Police and prosecutors have always said that Aaroné Thompson was dead and had been dead for years when Aaron Thompson made that call to police in November 2005 to report his daughter’s missing status. Thompson and his then girlfriend, Shelley Lowe, always stood by their story that Aaroné had run away over not being able to have a cookie. Surprisingly enough, the defense now agrees with the prosecutors and said in open court that yes, Aaroné is indeed dead. They also agree the girl was murdered. They are laying the blame on a dead woman – Shelley Lowe. Yes, they are claiming that Shelley Lowe murdered Aaroné and the only thing Aaron Thompson is guilty of is helping to hide the crime.

I don’t think this is the best defense strategy, blaming the girl’s death on a dead woman. There is still no word about how Aaroné died or where they put her body.

Even if Thompson manages to avoid the murder charge, he still faces numerous counts of abuse:

…vicious beatings Thompson is accused of meting out to Aarone and the other seven children under his and Lowe’s care at Thompson’s home on Kepner Place in Aurora, said Deputy District Attorney Robert Chappell.
“This case is about the life that these children experienced at the time the defendant lived on Kepner Place,” Chappell said.¹

I have always wondered why it was so important for Thompson to report Aaroné’s disappearance when he did. Aaroné was supposedly murdered in 2003. Why report her disappearance in November 2005? I think the reason was Thompson’s mother. Thompson’s mother was planning a visit to their home to celebrate Aaroné’s birthday. The little girl was supposed to turn 7 on November 30. I think Thompson had to figure out a way to explain to his mother why her granddaughter was not there. The only way to explain Aaroné’s absence was to report her disappearance.

September 16, 2009

I have been following the trial and I have to say what those children had to testify about in open court was absolutely heartbreaking. I don’t know how, in this country, children can still be subjected to the type of torture abuse and no one knows about it. If someone knew about the abuse they sure didn’t step up and try and help the kids.

The kids have damaged psyches and it will take years of therapy to undue the damage that has been done, if it can be undone. One thing I can say is the kids are brave to go into court and testify against their abuser. They certainly can’t have a lot of trust or faith in the system. I am sure they are wondering what will happen to them if Aaron is not convicted or does not get life in prison.

Testimony from the children included descriptions of beatings with three strands of coaxial cable that had been braided together. One of the children had scars on his back and the back of his legs. When asked where those scars came from he told the prosecutor it was from the metal part of the coaxial cable – it had cut into his flesh.

Another child testified being tied naked to a pole in the basement. Either Shely Lowe or Aaron Thompson or both of them would take turns beating the unfortunate child of the day. When they would get tired from the physical exertion they would tell one of the other children watching the beating to go get them something to drink.

The children received beatings for various infractions such as eating a name-brand food out of the pantry. Only Aaron and Sheley were allowed the luxury of name-brand foods. The children were only allowed to eat generic foods. Aaroné received her beatings for wetting herself or her bed. Other punishments for Aaroné included being locked inside a small closet. Another child received that same punishment. There was another child in the family who had a medical condition in which he was unable to control his bowels. As punishment for dirtying his pants Aaron held him over the toilet bowl by his ankles telling him “The poop goes here.”

The kids also testified they pretended to be Aaroné when family members phoned. According to the children Aaroné had been gone from the home for quite a few years. One girl testified that Aaron was beating his daughter one morning because she had wet her bed. He disappeared into another room with her. The girl went to school and when she returned home Aaroné was gone. Sheley and Aaron explained to the children she had gone to live with relatives in Detroit.

One male child testified that Aaron had nearly murdered Aaroné by beating her; he then gave a knife to the boy and told him to finish the job. The child claims he plunged the knife into Aaroné’s chest. He was then instructed to lay on top of her a get her blood on his shirt. Sheley and Aaron then took his shirt and disposed of Aaroné’s body.

There are descrepancies in the testimony of what was seen done to Aaroné. Her DNA does not appear on the various weapons mentioned for punishment. The belt, hairbrush, baseball bat and coaxial cable. If these children witnessed such severe abuse and were also victims of abuse most likely they are confused.

The prosecutor put on an excellent case, in my opinion, and then he nearly threw it into the toilet. Around the end of August they found another automobile that belonged to Aaron Thompson. It was in an impound yard. They should have immediately notified the defense. Instead they kept their mouth shut and went about the business of testing the vehicle for DNA evidence. When they found no DNA, they notified the defense of the find. By that time the defense had rested it’s case and closing arguments were set to begin. At that point, the defense could have filed a motion for a mistrial and the judge would more than likely have granted the motion. She chewed the prosecutor out in open court and wondered aloud why the defense was not asking for a mistrial and sanctions. The defense decided it was best for his client to go ahead with the current trial.

The defense did ask that all charges be dropped against their client because of the error on the part of the prosecution. The judge refused the request because there was no evidence found in the car. She also refused to drop the two most serious charges – child abuse resulting in death and conspiracy to commit child abuse.

Aaron Thompson refused to take the stand in his own defense, which is his right. I don’t know if it would have made a difference or not. Sometimes a jury wants to hear from the defendant and sometimes it just makes them angry to hear a feeble defense. His defense was that Sheley Lowe did the beating of the children or instructed him to do it, he had no say in the matter.

Sheley Lowe’s best friend wore a wire for the police. She was recorded not admitting she murdered Aaroné, but she did admit the child had died and that she and Aaron had taken the girl’s body to a field and buried her. She even mentioned that they were stopped that night by a police officer while on their way to dispose of Aaroné’s body. The prosecution was able to verify that Aaron Thompson had in fact been pulled over on the night in question. Thompson’s attorney claims the only thing he is guilty of is filing a false report with police. I hope the jury sees things differently.

Even if Thompson is found guilty of all 57 abuse charges against him the question still remains, “Where is Aaroné?” The case will go to the jury later today. I am hoping for a quick verdict of GUILTY on ALL charges.

I will leave you with this thought from Denver Post columnist Bill Johnson:

The last slide Richards presented to the jury was of five photographs showing all that can be found of Aaroné Thompson, including old clothing and a slide of some DNA that investigators retrieved from the bottom of a door to a closet where the little girl was forced to stay for days when she misbehaved.
Where is the little girl?
To date, quite sadly, that is all there is.²

September 19, 2009

The jury was sent home for the weekend on Friday afternoon without reaching a verdict. They will resume deliberations on Monday morning.

September 28, 2009: 11:50 a.m. PST

It appears we may be approaching announcement of a verdict. The jurors were in court this morning. They informed the judge they had decided on 51 of the 55 charges against Thompson. The judge ordered them to return to deliberations on the remaining 4 charges.

September 28, 2009: 11:30 p.m. PST

The looks on the faces of Aaron and his attorney says it all. The jury pronounced Aaron Thompson guilty on 31 of the 55 counts they were considering, including the most serious charge – child abuse of a child resulting in death as it pertained to Aaroné’s death. The look of surprise on the face of the attorney indicates that he thought perhaps his client would walk out of the courtroom a free man today or at least just be found guilty of a few charges of child abuse. Here is the breakdown of the verdicts as reported on the Denver Post website:

Child abuse – death, knowingly, related to the presumed death of Aaroné Thompson
guilty
Conspiracy to commit, with Shelley Lowe, child abuse — death, knowingly, related to the presumed death of Aaroné Thompson
guilty
Accessory to child abuse by Shelley Lowe, resulting in the presumed death of Aaroné Thompson
guilty
False reporting
guilty
Conspiracy to commit false reporting, related to the story about Aaroné Thompson running away because she was not given more cookies
guilty
Concealing death the death of Aaroné Thompson
guilty
Conspiracy, with Shelley Lowe, to conceal the death of Aaroné Thompson
guilty
Abuse of a corpse related to the disposal of the body of Aaroné Thompson
mistrial
Conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse
mistrial
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, related to coaching a child what to say to police
guilty
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
guilty
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
guilty
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
guilty
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
guilty
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
guilty
Contributing to delinquency of a minor
guilty
Conspiracy, with Shelley Lowe, to contribute to the delinquency of seven juveniles, related to coaching other children in the home to lie to police about Aaroné’s whereabouts
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, related to allegations that Aaron Thompson struck a juvenile in the face with a magazine
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, related to an incident in which Aaroné Thompson was beaten after urinating in a closet
guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, related to a juvenile being beaten by Shelley Lowe
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the allegation that a juvenile was beaten by Aaron Thompson and Shelley Lowe
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, knowingly, juvenile
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the allegation that a juvenile was beaten by Aaron Thompson and Shelley Lowe
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the allegation that a juvenile was beaten by Aaron Thompson and Shelley Lowe
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the beating of a juvenile
guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the beating of a juvenile
guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the beating of a juvenile
guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Second-degree assault — injury, related to the alleged beating of a juvenile
not guilty
Child abuse — injury, reckless, related to the beating of a juvenile
guilty
Conspiracy to commit, with Shelley Lowe, child abuse resulting in the injury of a juvenile, juvenile
guilty
Conspiracy to commit, with Shelley Lowe, second-degree assault resulting in the injury of two juveniles
guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, using a baseball bat to punish a boy for running away from home
guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, using a baseball bat to punish a boy for breaking a vase
not guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, using a baseball bat to punish a boy for eating some of Shelley Lowe’s cereal
guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, allegedly using a baseball bat to strike the feet and ankles of a boy, leaving him unable to walk for a period of time
not guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, allegedly using a baseball bat to beat a juvenile
not guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, allegedly using a baseball bat to beat a juvenile
not guilty
Assault — deadly weapon, allegedly using a baseball bat to beat a juvenile
not guilty
Attempt second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, allegedly threatening a juvenile with a baseball bat
not guilty
Conspiracy to commit, with Shelley Lowe, second-degree assault, for using a baseball bat to injure two boys
guilty

³

I wonder what kind of a sentence the judge will hand out to Thompson. She could sentence Thompson to as much as 80 years behind bars. Some of the jurors asked the judge if they can be in the courtroom when she sentences Thompson on November 10. I don’t recall if the judge responded to the inquiry or not. If I were the judge on this case I would be tempted to sentence Thompson to the full 80 years just for the dirty look he gave to the jurors today.

Sentencing 

November 10, 2009

Before telling Aaron Thompson how many years he will spend in prison, Judge Valeria Spencer told him he ‘failed as a father and failed as a man’. The then sentenced him to 102 years in prison and 12 years in jail, basically a life sentence. Aarone´’s mother, Lynette Thompson, told the judge Aaron should be telling where he put Aarone´’s body. Not surprisingly, Aaron’s mother told the judge her son ‘loves his children and is a hard worker’. Excuse me, a man who loves his children does not beat them to death. As for his working, I think it was more like hardly working rather than being a hard worker.

Thompson was asked by many different people during court proceedings to reveal where Aarone´’s remains are located so she can have a proper and dignified burial. Each request was met with an unemotional response of “no” from Thompson. I am guessing that if Aaron tells where her body is located that might be an opening for charging him with murder. At the least it would not bode well for the appeals his attorney is going to file regarding his conviction and sentence.

At least the judge sentenced Thompson to many more years than the maximum 80 years. I hope he suffers in prison until the day they carry him out in a box. The only real end to this story will be when Aarone´’s body is found and she receives a proper burial.

Appeals 

December 30, 2009

This really should come as no surprise but Aaron Thompson has begun the appeals process. His attorney’s filed the appeals on the basis of his conviction and his sentence.

Bob Chappell, senior prosecutor with the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office made the following comment regarding the appeal:

“I’m not surprised. They appeal everything,”…. “I don’t think there’s a reversible error in this record. Judge Spencer made complete and careful rulings. We’ll just have to wait and see.”… ⁴

I don’t know, maybe as a part of his appeal those judges can get him to say where he threw Aaroné away.

Sources 

Arapahoe County Cases of Interest: The People of the State of Colorado vs. Aaron Thompson, Last Accessed: August 3, 2009.

Dan Boniface, Trial to Open Friday for Father of Missing Girl, 9News.com, Last Accessed: August 6, 2009.

Aaron Thompson Trial Coverage, The Denver Channel, Last Accessed: September 16, 2009.

Carlos Ilescas, Thompson Jury Done with 51 of 55 Charges, The Denver Post, Last Accessed: September 28, 2009.

Associated Press, Colorado Man Sentenced to 106 Years in Girl’s Disappearance, Vail Daily, Last Accessed: November 10, 2009.

1. Brandon Johannson, Aaron Thompson’s Defense Points Finger at Shelley Lowe, Aurora Sentinel, Last Accessed: August 10, 2009. [↩]
2. Bill Johnson, Johnson: Prosecutor Defends Girl Ignored by Others, Denver Post, Last Accessed: September 16, 2009. [↩]
3. Thompson Charges, Verdicts, The Denver Post, Last Accessed: September 28, 2009. [↩]
4. Tyler Lopez, Aarone’s Father Appeals, KMGH Denver, Last Accessed: December 30, 2009. [↩]