Dad on trial for murder of 3-month-old son, baby's mom; didn't want the mom to "have him" if he couldn't (Bath, New York)

Control freak dad exercises his final bloodlust act of control--slaughters 3 month-old son because if Daddy can't "have him," then neither can Mom! All this took place on father's day during his visitation time.  Of course, Daddy shows no grief for this bloody rampage either. Frankly, I suspect that his description of what took place the day of the double murders is mostly self-serving lies, given that he has an extensive history of domestic violence.

The dad is identified BRIAN ASHLINE. Y'all really think that "joint custody" would have satisfied this dude?

http://www.the-leader.com/features/x742510001/Testimony-Ashline-emotionless-unable-to-cry-after-killings

Testimony: Ashline emotionless, unable to cry after killings
By John Zick
Corning Leader
Posted Oct 26, 2011 @ 09:34 PM

Bath, N.Y. — Bryan Ashline was admittedly emotionless and unable to cry after he allegedly killed his infant son and ex-girlfriend on Father’s Day 2010 in Bath, but silent tears fell from many Wednesday at the man’s murder trial when graphic crime scene photos were shown to the jury.

Ashline, 25, of Watervliet in the Albany area, is accused of stabbing to death 3-month-old Xavier Ashline and Trieste Clayton, 25, on June 20, 2010.

His attorney, Thomas Stahr, says he is responsible for the killings but is guilty of manslaughter, not murder, because he acted under an extreme emotional disturbance.

Before seeing the crime scene photos Wednesday, the jury heard statements Ashline made to police the day after the killings. Ashline said he felt “emotionless” and “couldn’t understand why (he) couldn’t cry,” Bath Police Department Inv. Heather Wheaton testified. He also seemingly couldn’t find an answer for why he allegedly killed his son.

“I can see me taking me and her out, but I cannot see taking his life,” Ashline’s written statement said. “There was no point in taking Xavier’s life. I should have let him live.”

When pressed as to why he allegedly killed his son, Ashline told Inv. Wheaton he had no real answer, she testified, but he said it was “accurate” that if he couldn’t have Xavier, neither could Clayton.

The crime scene photos showed the brutality of the killings. Many of the victims’ family and friends wept softly as the photos were displayed. Ashline sat quietly with his head down, as he has for most of the trial.

Several of the photos – including a horrifying close-up view -- showed Xavier lying on his back with a knife penetrating his torso. Clayton was lying on her stomach nearby. They died in the kitchen.

A large pool of blood was adjacent to Clayton, and other blood spatter was elsewhere in the kitchen.

In speaking about the crime scene photos, a state police investigator testified that four knives were involved in the incident. All appeared to have been from a butcher’s block in Clayton’s apartment.

In his written statements, Ashline told police his version of events:

• He arrived at Clayton’s apartment around 12:05 a.m. June 20, 2010. He was allowed to visit for Father’s Day. He and Clayton talked until about 1:30 a.m., when he went to sleep on the couch.

• Ashline woke up about 7:30 a.m. and got Xavier from his crib. Ashline dressed and fed Xavier. Later, the three acted like a “family” and went for a walk. Also, they had dinner together. Clayton took a nap from 5-7 p.m. while Ashline played with Xavier. Between 9-9:30 p.m., Xavier went to sleep.

• About an hour later, Ashline decided it was time to go home to the Albany area, and he decided he was taking Xavier with him. He wanted to take Xavier home to Watervliet for a family event the following weekend, but Trieste wouldn’t allow it. He learned in May how much Xavier meant to him.

• Ashline went and got the child from his crib, at which time Clayton confronted Ashline. She choked him and tackled him while he was holding Xavier. Shortly thereafter, she stabbed him in the right hand. She also called her mother and 911, which made Ashline “panicky.” The cut to his right hand, though, was the tipping point. Ashline has a “fight mentality” when he is physically attacked.

Ashline, who had a large gash on his hand when he was arrested, declined to talk about stabbing Clayton, but he told investigators there was a knife in Xavier. He said he knew Xavier was dead, but was unsure about Clayton’s fate.

Ashline was gone from the apartment by the time police and Clayton’s mother and stepfather – Cynthia and Scott Watson – arrived minutes after the calls. Both Watsons testified Tuesday about finding Clayton and Xavier dead.

Cynthia Watson also testified about Ashline attacking Clayton in August 2009, when the couple lived together near Albany. Clayton was found with handprints on her neck and other bruises, and police issued an order of protection.

Immediately after the domestic incident, Clayton moved back to Steuben County, and she gave birth to Xavier in March, according to testimony. Cynthia Watson testified that she told Clayton not to allow Ashline back into her life.

In three days of testimony in Steuben County Court, District Attorney John Tunney has called 14 witnesses to testify. He’s expected to call approximately a half dozen more.

The trial will resume at 9:30 a.m. today in Steuben County Court. Judge Joseph Latham is presiding over the trial.

Ashline is charged with two counts each of first- and second-degree murder and two other felonies. If convicted of first-degree murder, Ashline faces life in prison without parole. New York state does not have the death penalty.