Calhoun County Circuit Judge Malcolm Street handed down the sentence to Jacquindalyn Carr, 36, and denied the woman’s application for parole.
“It’s a very tragic situation, there’s a loss of life for the victim,” Street said. “The court finds that there should be a sufficient amount of time that ought to be served for taking someone’s life.”
Carr stabbed her husband, Demetrious Carr, in the neck with a steak knife during a domestic dispute at their home on Maumee Drive in May of 2010. Carr claimed she acted in self-defense as a drunk Demetrious attacked her. The state tried the woman on murder charges, but a jury convicted her of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Carr’s attorney, Wilford Lane, urged Street to accept Carr’s application for parole and said the sentence “accomplishes nothing.” He read several letters written by the defendant’s supporters who asked Street to remember Carr was the mother of two young children, including an autistic 9-year-old son.
But Calhoun County Assistant District Attorney Sheila Field said Carr had damaged her children’s well-being when she killed Demetrious, and that the woman had already received a break by avoiding a murder conviction.
“This is not a custody battle,” Field said. “This is not about the kids. She put her children in this situation when she killed their father.”
After Street announced the sentence, several of Carr’s friends and family who came to support her walked out of the courtroom. Emotions spilled outside of the courthouse when sheriff’s deputies had to maintain order as members of Jacquindalyn’s and Demetrious’ families shouted at each other from across the parking lot.
Lane said Carr will appeal the decision, but does not know if he’ll represent her during the process.
An appeals bond for Carr was set at $100,000. Four days Carr has already spent in jail will count toward time served.
Staff writer Brian Anderson: 256-235-3546. On Twitter @BAnderson_Star.
