Guilty Plea for Man Who Put Girlfriend in Coma

More than a year after an attack that left a Poole, Kentucky woman in a coma like state, her ex-boyfriend is plead guilty to second degree assault. Ashley Chaney has been in long term care facilities and her mothers care since November of 2006, when she was beaten severely as she tried to leave the home she shared with Thomas Matthew Yancy. She is unable to speak or take care of herself or her children. Chaney was pregnant at the time of the attack, and gave birth to a healthy baby girl in May, despite her persistent medical condition. Her mother and care giver Sharon Keller says Ashley has a long way to go to recover, but they remain hopeful that shell be able to at least talk and enjoy her children again one day. Chaneys injuries have been devastating to her family, said Keller. "Her oldest son just knows his mommy is sick," Keller said after court proceedings Thursday. The pretrial hearing in Webster County, Kentucky, was called so Thomas Matthew Yancy could change his plea from not guilty to guilty. As part of his admission of guilt, the charge against him was reduced from First Degree Assault to Second Degree Assault, which carries a penalty range of between five and ten years in prison. Yancy will be sentenced on January 8, 2008.