UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A man pled guilty and has been sentenced following the death of a Prince George’s County woman. Taya Ashton, 20, was murdered in Suitland in July 2021, and DeAllen Price, 29, was sentenced to nearly five decades behind bars for her death Wednesday.
Prince George’s County State Attorney Aisha Braveboy said Ashton’s case has been emotional, but she is happy with the outcome. Nearly three years after her death, there is a sense of victory for state officials, including Braveboy.
"Today we are proud to say that we secured justice for her and her family," Braveboy said.
Ashton’s family was present at the news conference but did not want to speak.
"We took into consideration the fact that Taya had rights, rights to be here, rights to be alive,” Braveboy said. "Taya's death was a real tragedy for our community as well as for her family."
In 2021, Prince George’s County Police said they found Ashton shot to death insider in Maryland apartment. In court it was later revealed the two knew each other and had an intimate relationship. Prince George’s County assistant state attorney Sherrie Waldrup said Price shot and killed Ashton after an argument.
"That evening was when he learned that Taya was not born a female and that in response to that he reacted and shot her,” Waldrup said. “That was just a chilling thing to hear."
The attorney’s office said this case was so difficult because there were no witnesses, and it was largely circumstantial. Price pled guilty for second-degree murder and use of a firearm in a commission of a crime of violence.
Price was sentenced to 60 years in prison, with all but 48 suspended. If released after 48 years, Price would be subject to the additional 12 years if he violates probation.