LISBON – Even while maintaining his innocence, Christopher Miller was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal murder of Matthew Bailey.

The sentence was issued on Thursday by Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge C. Ashley Pike, who pointed out Miller has shown no signs of remorse and killed Bailey by delivering no fewer than 30 blows mostly to Bailey’s head.

“The public must be protected from such a depraved person, and that’s what you are,” Pike said.

Prior to sentencing Miller, 36, U.S. Route 62, Salem, was given the opportunity to address the court, but he chose only to say a few words to members of Bailey’s family, who were in attendance.

“I wish to give the Matthew Bailey family my condolences,” Miller said. “I’m sorry for what happened, but it wasn’t by my hand.”

A jury found Miller guilty of aggravated murder 10 days ago. It was the second time Miller was tried on the charges with the first trial ending in a hung jury on the charges of aggravated murder and murder. The life sentence will be served consecutively to the three-year sentence Miller is currently serving after the jury in June found him guilty of tampering with evidence in connection with the case.

Assistant County Prosecutor John Gamble spoke prior to sentencing explaining he believes if it was not for Bailey’s relationship with Miller, he would still be alive today. Gamble said four separate witnesses testified Miller was involved in collecting money for himself and for other drug dealers. He believes Bailey did not provoke the attack and was surprised by Miller. Blood evidence during the trial had shown Bailey was struck both inside the SUV belonging to Miller’s girlfriend and in a cornfield near an oil well off Hartley Road a year ago.

Additionally, Gamble talked about a pattern of crime by Miller throughout the years, including more than one felony conviction and 32 cases in County Municipal Court, with 13 of those for criminal charges and the remainder being traffic offenses. Additionally, Gamble pointed out Miller was convicted of failing to support dependents and has not been gainfully employed.

“The brutality of this offense is totally beyond our comprehension,” Gamble said, adding that while an attorney tries to remain unemotional and look at a case without bias, now that the jury has found Miller guilty, there should be anger. “When you look at this case and at the human aspect of it, you should be angry. He should be punished for this.”

Disagreeing with some of what Gamble said, defense attorney Jennifer Gorby requested Pike consider allowing Miller to have the possibility of parole after 20 years. Gorby said there is no evidence Bailey owed Miller any money and no evidence Miller was paid for the murder.

Additionally, she said Miller has worked in the past, Smith Oil in 2004 and in several factories throughout the Salem area. She noted it was only recently Miller began working odd jobs for cash under the table.

Bailey was 34 at the time of his death. His body was found on Oct. 26, 2013, about a month after he was named in a civil lawsuit claiming he was responsible for the shooting death of Gerald Klusch in 2011. While ruled a homicide, no criminal charges were filed in the death of Klusch. Judge Scott Washam awarded $2.2 million in compensatory damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages to Klusch’s widow, Leah Klusch in late September.

djohnson@mojonews.com