YOUNGSTOWN — The 7th District Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal filed by Marc A. Flora of the 30-years-to-life prison sentence he received in May 2019 for stabbing to death his 1-year-old daughter Aug. 1, 2018.

Flora, 31, killed the girl in his Campbell home, a crime for which Flora never offered a reason. He pleaded guilty to aggravated murder.

But he appealed the prison sentence Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court handed down, arguing the judge showed bias in stating that Flora should have been indicted on death-penalty charges.

Judge Krichbaum told Flora during his sentencing, “And personally, frankly, life without parole is too nice for you. You should be indicted for a capital offense and prosecuted for a capital offense,” the ruling states.

Flora’s appeal argued that a judge cannot impose a maximum sentence based on the belief that a defendant is guilty of a greater offense.

But the appeals judges stated that Ohio law makes it clear that a sentence imposed for aggravated murder or murder “is not subject to review.”

The appeals judges cited Ohio Supreme Court rulings that call the statute involved “unambiguous” and “clearly means what it says: such a sentence cannot be reviewed.”

A U.S. Supreme Court justice indicated a belief that the nonreviewable aspect of the law is “deeply concerning.” However, the Ohio Supreme Court has “made clear that sentences for aggravated murder and murder are not reviewable,” the 7th District ruling states.

Flora pleaded guilty to stabbing the girl to death in their Penhale Avenue home in Campbell. He then called police and admitted he killed her.

An assistant Mahoning County prosecutor said she offered Flora a plea because Flora accepted responsibility and spared family members a trial. At the time, Flora was facing charges that could have produced a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Flora’s lawyer, Doug Taylor, said he had no explanation for the crime and called it a “tragedy.” He did say his client has mental health issues that began in childhood when a family friend slipped him LSD and other psychedelic drugs.

Two evaluations were made to determine if Flora is sane. The first evaluation found he is not, but a second evaluation found he is sane.

Judge Krichbaum stated that he is sure Flora will never be released from prison.