Solon Woman Who Helped Miktarian's Killer Got Maximum Sentence

The two women who tried to help the killer of Twinsburg Police Officer Joshua Miktarian will not be going to prison, but received the maximum sentences allowed by Ohio law.

Bridget Robinson, 37, of Solon, and Danielle Roberson, 27, of Akron, received suspended sentences from Judge Daniel Gaul in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for their role in trying to help killer Ashford Thompson get away. Robinson is Thompson's sister and Roberson is his ex-girlfriend.

"These were the maximum sentences allowed by the Ohio Revised Code for the crimes to which each pled," according to a statement issued on the Twinsburg Police Department Facebook page. 

Robinson and Roberson both pleaded guilty in January to obstruction of justice, a felony.

Police Chief Chris Noga and Joshua Miktarian's widow, Holly Miktarian, both spoke after the sentencing and said they hope that the loved ones of Joshua Miktarian can now find peace.

"I hope we can finally begin to put him to rest," Holly Miktarian said.

Said Noga: "I truly believe we can now put this behind us and now we can put him to rest."

Robinson was given a 1-year suspended sentence, two years of probation and forced to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs.

Roberson was given a 1-year suspended sentence with six months of house arrest, two years of probation and forced to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs.

Gaul said he understands that his sentences won't make anyone happy. He laid the blame for the murder squarely at the feet of Thompson, who currently awaits execution on death row.

"This is a tragic case," Gaul said. "It's easy for the system of justice to under-react or over-react."

On Wednesday, both women apologized for their actions the night Miktarian was murdered after listening to emotional comments from Twinsburg Police Chief Chris Noga and Miktarian's widow, Holly Miktarian.

Both women were arrested by the U.S. Marshall's Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in May 2012.

Both women tried to help Thompson escape after he shot Miktarian during a traffic stop for loud music. Roberson was in the car at the time of the shooting and tried to hide the gun. Robinson is accused of trying to free Thompson from his handcuffs after he fled the scene of the July 13, 2008 shooting.

Thompson was convicted and sentenced to death.