HAMILTON — In 23 years, a Woodlawn man convicted of murdering a 3-year-old girl could become eligible for release from prison — but Judge H.J. Bressler promised he'd have something to say about that.

Miles

Centers

        The judge vowed he would write to Ohio prison officials and convey whether he thinks Kevin Charles Miles should ever be freed.

        “Even if I'm not alive, they'll have the testimony of this court from the grave,” Judge Bressler said.

        The judge's remarks capped a tense, emotional sentencing hearing Friday — Mr. Miles' 28th birthday.

        Before Mr. Miles was sentenced to the maximum — 23 years to life for murder and child endangering — he received a hug from his mother, listened to statements from the victim's relatives, and gave a defiant courtroom address.

        He denied ever hurting his girlfriend's daughter, Courtney Centers of Middletown, who bled to death Jan. 1 after being punched in the stomach.

Courtney

        “Your honor, I don't have anything to say to you. I'd rather address the family of the victim,” Mr. Miles said. He turned his back on the judge, faced Courtney's loved ones and implied that his earlier videotaped confession was made to cover for his girlfriend, Tiana Centers, 20, who is serving four years in prison for permitting child abuse.

        Before his trial in May, Mr. Miles filed court papers alleging that he witnessed Ms. Centers deliver the fatal blows. Mr. Miles, who is black, has said he was framed and that he was convicted because of “an unfair trial and an all-white jury,” Judge Bressler said.

        “I haven't seen one drop of remorse, contrition or acceptance (of responsibility) ... I watched him blame everybody but himself,” the judge said.

        Mr. Miles drummed his fingers, smirked, shook his head, and twice interrupted the judge.

        Judge Bressler said he was giving the maximum sentence because “there is no worse form of offense in this court's mind than that, brutally beating a child to death.”

        Earlier, defense lawyer James Cooper asserted that Mr. Miles has shown remorse.

        Mr. Miles' parents said he never was known to be violent.

        “Please, please have mercy on my child and grant me this one wish,” implored Pam Jackson, Mr. Miles' mother.

        Judge Bressler allowed mother and son to embrace for his birthday. “It's gonna be all right, Ma,” Mr. Miles said as she sobbed.

        Courtney's aunt, Tonia Dunn, displayed a photo of Courtney and said she wanted to burn that image into Mr. Miles' mind — and that on each of his birthdays from now on, she wants him to reflect on a grim fact:

        There will be no more birthdays for Courtney.

Archbishop says policy is tough
Deal made, but priest still not defrocked
Targeting unsafe breeds, insurer wants dog booted out of house
Bush urges grads to volunteer
Miles gets 23 to life in child's death
Anderson residents want flooding problem solved
Freedom Center plans for 4 million trees
Luken touts new powers at meetings
Obituary: Richard Howard was principal at Holmes
Pete Rose is a hit at ballpark site visit
Sabis school decision could come soon
She helps give art to the city
Tristate A.M. Report
MCNUTT: Mason parks
SAMPLES: Life change
THOMPSON: Faith Matters
Bans fly in face of patriotism
Neighbors edge toward detente
Warren wants one levy to wait
OSU president departs, frustrated but hopeful
OSU trying to reignite reputation
School displays ordered removed
Device can relieve, eliminate chest pain
Louisville diocese faces more lawsuits