A murder trial in Blair County Court came to an end on Tueday, when 48 year old Paul Ross of Hollidaysburg pleaded no contest to third-degree murder and three sexual assault offenses in connection with the 2004 death of Tina Miller of Hollidaysburg. Upon acceptance of the plea deal, Blair County President Judge Elizabeth Doyle immediately imposed the recommended prison sentence of 42 to 84 years on Ross, giving him credit for time served of about 16.5 years. That means Ross still has to serve at least 25.5 more years in prison to reach his minimum sentence. Retired Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio was the lead prosecutor. He said yesterday that he agreed to the plea deal because Miller’s family wanted him to accept it and because it eliminated the possibility of Ross’ acquittal. Consiglio said Ross is an animal, and it was one of the worst cases he had ever seen, and the last thing he wanted was any chance for him to walk away a free man. As part of the deal, Ross agreed to waive all direct appeal rights.