Drunk driver’s sentence cut in half

By Donna Hales
Phoenix Staff Writer

November 04, 2008 03:16 pm

— A woman sentenced to 10 years in prison in December for first-degree manslaughter in a drunk driving case had her sentenced cut in half Monday.
Trisha Denae Catron, 24, had asked District Judge Bruce Sewell for a one-year review, which was Monday, said her attorney, Donn Baker of Tahlequah.
Catron caused a head-on crash in July 2003 that resulted in the death of Andrea Beth Doyle, 21. Doyle was a student at Northeastern State University who was on her way home from work at Wal-Mart when she was killed.
Catron’s first two Cherokee County trials ended in mistrials. Her third trial ended in a hung jury. She then entered a plea agreement for a five-year deferred sentence for manslaughter. But Cherokee County prosecutors moved to accelerate her deferred sentence because of drug use in late 2007.
Catron admitted in her revocation hearing in January 2008 that she had smoked marijuana in November 2007. Sewell then revoked her deferred sentence and sent her to prison, sentencing her to 100 years with all but 10 years suspended.
Court records show she recently wrote Sewell that her whole world revolves around the crash in which she killed Doyle.
Catron’s attorney, Donn Baker, said he presented 20 exhibits Monday from Mabel Bassett Correctional Facility showing programs Catron has completed since being in the state penitentiary. A doctor from the facility testified in her behalf.
Baker said Sewell heard how Catron has helped others earn their GEDs while at Mabel Bassett. She admitted she had never taken responsibility and wasn’t convinced she had a substance abuse problem until she got in treatment at Mabel Bassett, Baker said.
He also said Catron apologized Monday to Doyle’s parents.
But Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney David Pierce told Sewell three people recently lost their lives in the county because of a drunk driver. He asked Sewell to send a message that you can’t drink and drive in Cherokee County.
Sewell told her he thought she had made progress, and cut her prison sentence to five years, with credit for time served, Baker said.
But Catron must spend 85 percent of that five years, or 51 months in prison, Baker said.
Reach Donna Hales at 918-684-2923 or Click Here to Send Email

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Catron