VANCOUVER, Wash. — It was an emotional day inside a Clark County courtroom as the family of Danielle Abrahams, who was killed when a car crashed into her living room in August 2023, spoke at a plea hearing and sentencing for the driver of that car.
Abrahams was sitting on a couch inside her home when Karen Baker was speeding, driving under the influence and lost control of her car.
"She didn't deserve this," Justine Baker, Abraham's sister, said.
Karen Baker sat in court on Friday afternoon, seated at the defense table. She had just changed her plea from not guilty to guilty. She was charged with vehicular homicide by DUI and reckless driving.
"You will never get forgiveness from me," Abraham's sister, Justine Baker — no relation to Karen Baker — said. "So, please, don't come looking for it."
One by one, family and friends of Danielle Abrahams read a statement addressing Karen Baker about the life she took away and also to the judge about the sentence they were hoping he would hand down.
"You created a permanent hole in my heart, and I'll never heal," Justine Baker said. "You left a scar on everyone that's here in this courtroom for Danielle. I hope you recognize the magnitude of your irresponsible decisions."
Justine Baker read statements submitted to the court by her mom, dad, brother and her young daughter about the impact of Abraham's death had on the family. Several friends and coworkers also shared their memories of Abraham.
After an hour of statements being read aloud, Judge Robert Lewis asked Karen Baker if she would like to say anything.
"I have remorse, and I live with it every day," Karen Baker said, while crying. "I'm sorry that I took your loved one from you. I pray that me going to prison will help you to have closure and heal and to move forward."
Danielle's sister Justine wasn't believing her apology: "I think it just made me angry because she did show up to every court appearance smiling, laughing, joking with the judge. She never seemed to show any emotion up until today."
Judge Lewis sentenced Karen Baker to 100 months in jail. If she had been found guilty after a trial, she faced a maximum penalty of life in prison. The state had asked the court for 114 months, the higher end of the recommended sentencing as part of the plea deal. The defense had asked for the lower end of 86 months.
Justine Baker was hoping for the maximum allowed sentence of 114 months, or close to 10 years.
"I think it’s a little devastating. We were essentially told that it would be 9 ¾ of a year, and we really had our hearts set on 10 years at least," Justine said. "The 8.3 years is just another slap in the face."
Justine Baker says this closes this chapter in their life, but says no matter what the sentence was, it will never bring her sister back.