Utah man sentenced in 2020 killing of Ashlyn Black

A Utah man was sentenced to jail Tuesday for choking and fatally stabbing 25-year-old Ashlyn Black in Could 2020 whereas the 2 of them had been on a date.

Ethan Hunsaker, 26, who pleaded responsible however mentally in poor health in June 2021, was sentenced to fifteen years to life in jail for Black’s homicide. Earlier than he’s despatched to Utah State Jail, he might be dedicated to the Utah State Hospital for not more than 18 months, or till his psychological state has been stabilized, 2nd District Choose David Connors dominated.

A part of the rationale Connors dominated that Hunsaker would first go to the state hospital is as a result of Hunsaker stated he’s experiencing suicidal and homicidal ideation, the decide stated.

After Connors introduced the sentence, he addressed Hunsaker straight, and stated he hoped that Hunsaker would obtain the remedy he wanted on the state hospital.

“However frankly, I admit that’s not the first motive I’m doing this,” he stated, including that he was involved for the inmates, corrections officers and others that Hunsaker may hurt if he was despatched straight to jail with out remedy.

A prosecutor for the state stated that Hunsaker hadn’t proven regret for his actions.

Black’s household attended the sentencing listening to Tuesday, the place they gave wrenching statements about how her dying has affected them. Her mom, Jamie Buckalew, stated Black had a fierce love for her household, in addition to empathy for folks with psychological sicknesses. Her daughter had needed to be a mom “with all her coronary heart,” Buckalew stated.

“Ashlyn was a light-weight to our household,” Buckalew stated.

Now, she will be able to’t cease imagining her daughter’s closing moments, Buckalew stated. She believes Hunsaker preyed upon Black due to her compassion, and that he made preparations to kill her.

Sporting a black costume that matched the costume Black wore when she was cremated, Avery Black described the second she discovered her sister was lifeless. “It felt just like the earth had opened up and I fell into it.”

On the night time of the slaying, the sister stated their household was solely informed that Ashlyn Black’s dying had been violent. They later discovered how she had been killed from a information article, the sister stated.

Avery Black stated she lives with “paralyzing” anxiousness, and that she’s scared to go outdoors at night time and afraid up to now. She stated there’ll by no means be justice for her sister.

Ashlyn Black’s father, Shaun Black, stated his daughter had a “particular expertise” of by no means being on time. “I might give something to be ready for her, as a result of it will imply I’d get to see her once more,” he stated.

After the listening to, the household’s legal professional, Joshua Egan, informed The Salt Lake Tribune, “Nothing goes to convey Ashlyn again. Nothing can restore [her family’s] lives to what they had been earlier than she was taken from them. They usually’ll by no means be the identical.

“However the truth that they’ve moved previous this sentencing section and had been in a position to both say their piece in court docket, or be current and present their help for Ashlyn and for one another — that, I believe, was a giant second for them,” Egan continued.

The Black household emailed an announcement to the Tribune on Tuesday night, thanking the neighborhood for its help.

“We proceed to honor Ashlyn’s reminiscence by celebrating her endless love for her family and friends,” the assertion learn.

On Could 24, 2020, Hunsaker referred to as 911 to report that he had killed somebody at his residence in Layton, in line with the Layton Police Division. When officers arrived, they discovered a girl who was later recognized as Black mendacity on the ground with a number of stab wounds to her torso. First responders tried to deal with her, however she died on the scene.

After police took Hunsaker into custody, he reportedly informed officers that he had met Black on the courting app Tinder, in line with a possible trigger assertion. He stated that they had gone out for drinks earlier that night time, and after they left the bar, the 2 had gone to his home.

Later that night time, Hunsaker awoke subsequent to Black, who was nonetheless asleep. Then he choked her and stabbed her a number of occasions with a knife, the doc states.

Hunsaker informed officers that the date was “regular,” and that the slaying had been unprovoked.

The subsequent month, Hunsaker pleaded not responsible to homicide. In August 2021, he modified his plea to responsible however mentally in poor health.

(Layton Police Division by way of AP) On Tuesday, Ethan Hunsaker was sentenced to fifteen years to life in jail for the homicide of Ashlyn Black in 2020.

Hunsaker’s legal professional, Markley Arrington, stated in the course of the listening to Tuesday that his consumer wouldn’t obtain the psychological well being remedy he wanted if he was despatched to jail. Makes an attempt to succeed in Arrington for remark Tuesday afternoon had been unsuccessful.

A private obituary posted on-line said that Black lived her life as an “adventurous, tender and loving free spirit.” She beloved the band Nirvana, it stated, and a few of her favourite lyrics had been “Come as you’re.”

“Ashlyn was an exquisite instance of affection; she taught inclusion and tolerance for everybody,” the obituary said.

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