‘Try Not to Repeat Mistakes’: Ashley Marsh Receives Sentence for September Arrest

By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT— 29-year-old Ashley Marsh, of Claremont, was sentenced in Newport Superior Court on Monday, November 21, 2022, to twelve months in prison, admittance to the Transitional Re-entry and Inmate Life Skills Program, and three years of probation.

She will also receive suspended sentences, including one from a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Assault, which could result in three and a half to seven years in state prison or a period of good behavior of five years beginning after her release. A possession of psilocybin was suspended, as was the $350 dollar fine that comes with that charge.

Marsh was arrested on September 11, 2022, after a report was made that she and Derek Basler, also of Claremont, violently assaulted and threatened the life of a victim that was known to Marsh and Basler. The victim alleged that he arrived at Marsh’s residence and was forced inside of the apartment, where he was attacked and had his life threatened. Basler and Marsh then attempted to transport their victim, at which time he was able to escape to a nearby apartment. Basler and Marsh were later found by police at Baslers’ Pearl Street apartment. Subsequent search warrants turned up drug charges for each of the offenders.

Christine Hilliard, prosecutor for the state, read the charges, as well as a brief description of the incident. Hilliard also referred to a conversation that the state had with the victim regarding Marsh involvement with the attack stating, “His position was that Ms. Marsh was scared during the assault and was trying to protect him. That the states asking of the charges was too harsh and that she was more innocent between the two parties.”

Hilliard would go on to state that is a significant determination as to the lack of severity in the plea arrangement prior to sentencing.

This particular case also involved a sexual assault perpetrated by Basler, in which Marsh was asked to increase the volume of music coming from a speaker so that the victim’s screams could not be heard. Allegations regarding that specific aspect of the incident were not part of the plea deal at Monday’s sentencing.

“I don’t need to tell you, this was horrific. This attack was just brutal. You’ve taken responsibility for your actions, that’s an important step in moving on. I don’t think you should forget what you’ve done but having taken responsibility allows you to move forward and try not to repeat mistakes made in the past,” Newport Superior Court Judge Martin Honigberg said to Marsh after reading the sentencing.

Marsh tearfully responded “Thank you” before being escorted out of the court to finish the remainder of her sentencing. She currently has 71 days of pretrial credit toward her twelve month sentence.