The Shadow
A Salem man will spend 12 ½ years in prison following a conviction of second degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of a Covington toddler.
Jeffrey Dean Ailstock entered an Alford plea Monday morning in Alleghany County Circuit Court. An Alford plea is when a criminal defendant maintains innocence but understands there is enough evidence to warrant a conviction. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison with 17 ½ years suspended. He will be on supervised probation for three years upon his release.
Ailstock was convicted in the case of Lakin Brown, a two-year-old who died of multiple internal injuries January 20, 2008.
Charges were filed against Ailstock approximately one year later. He has been held in the Alleghany Regional Jail since his January 14, 2009 arrest.
Alleghany County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ed Stein, who prosecuted the case, said this morning that Ailstock still maintains his innocence. Ailstock was represented by Hot Springs attorney Betty Cauley. He did not address the court.
Katrina Hyler Ailstock, Lakin Brown’s mother, has also been arrested and charged with second degree murder and felony child abuse. Her trial is scheduled to begin the week of May 17, according to Stein. He anticipates the trial to last one week.
Katrina Ailstock has been released from the Alleghany Regional Jail on bond.
