William Page Sexually Assaulted 23-Month-Old Daughter, And Let Her Freeze to Death; Guilty of Murder
PITTSBURGH (CBS/KDKA/AP) William Page has been convicted of first-degree murder for leaving his 23-month-old daughter outside to freeze to death after sexually abusing her.
Page's daughter, Nyia, was found dead in February 2007. Page molested the girl then became angry because she kept removing her diaper. He then left her outside in freezing temperatures. Nyia's body was found in a wooded area of Rankin, Pa., east of Pittsburgh.
The Allegheny County jury found the 26-year-old father also guilty of kidnapping, indecent sexual assault and filing a false police report.
Page testified that he confessed only after police grilled him over several days. The jury rendered its verdict Monday after asking to hear his recorded confession again.
The girl's mother took the stand last Thursday and was in tears as she spoke about the last time she saw her daughter, reports CBS affiliate KDKA.
Starting Tuesday, the same jury that convicted Page will weigh evidence as to whether he deserves the death penalty or life in prison.