Man pleads guilty to aggravated assault

YOUNGSTOWN -- Robert Ashford, 51, of Tod Lane pleaded guilty Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to one count of aggravated assault.
It was reduced from the original charge of felonious assault as part of a plea agreement. Aggravated assault means Ashford was provoked and acted in a sudden passion or fit of rage.
Assistant Prosecutor Patrick R. Pochiro said Ashford shot Daniel Rice in May 2003. Rice survived.
Defense attorney Louis DeFabio said the shooting happened at Ashford's house, where Rice was reportedly trying to rob Ashford. Had the case gone to trial, Ashford would have argued the shooting was self-defense, DeFabio said.
Ashford could be placed on probation, or could get six to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 3 by Judge R. Scott Krichbaum. The judge ordered a background check on Ashford.