Published: May 13, 2008 01:43 pm            

Woman receives sentence in son's stabbing death

Ada — An Ada woman who accidentally stabbed her son to death was sentenced to probation Monday.

Pontotoc County District Judge Tom Landrith sentenced Connie Haines, 45, to 10 years with all 10 years suspended. Haines entered into a blind plea to first-degree manslaughter April 7. Haines was originally charged with second-degree murder for stabbing her 17-year-old son, Chris Carpenter of Moore on July 9, 2007.

A blind plea is a plea without an admission of guilt or an agreement between the defendant and the state. The defendant relies on the “mercy” of the court. Her jury trial was scheduled to begin April 7, had she not agreed to the plea. District Attorney Chris Ross said he made no recommendation on what sentencing Haines should receive.

“If the defendant pleads blind to a judge, then there is no reason to make a recommendation as a judge is experienced in determining what sentences should be,” Ross said. “What is the proper punishment for a person who accidentally, but criminally, kills a family member?”

Haines began to cry as soon as she entered the courtroom. Landrith said this was a “very unique case.”

He said he didn’t think there was any punishment worse then what Haines is already going through. Landrith said she will be on probation for 10 years.

She was ordered to pay all court costs and reimburse the Victim of Crime Compensation Board who paid $6,000 toward Chris Carpenter’s funeral.

Haines appeared to be overwhelmed with grief when the sentencing was over. She approached Ross and told him she thought he was a very fair man, she knew it was a hard job and that he had to do it. As she left the courtroom surrounded by family and friends she said, “I just want my baby back,” as she sobbed.

Haines’ attorney, Rob Neal, said the sentencing was a just resolution to a bad situation.

“She (Haines) is relieved at the sentence but she is also overcome,” Neal said. “I think she’s devastated by the entire situation, as I suspect she will be for years, if not life.”

Ross said there are many factors which he is sure the court took into account, including the victim’s family, which in this case is also the defendant’s family.

“In cases like these, I know the feelings of the victim’s family are given great consideration. The family, including the victim’s father, who is also the defendant’s ex-husband, testified that they did not want the defendant incarcerated.”

At a preliminary hearing in October 2007, witnesses testified that on the morning of July 9, 2007, Haines was upset about a text message she found on her husband’s cell phone. In an attempt to figure out who the message came from she went into the room where her husband was sleeping. A witness said she heard arguing. A short time later, Connie Haines came out of the bedroom, grabbed a knife from the table and returned to the bedroom, a witness said.

Her son followed behind her.

Witnesses testified Connie Haines said, “Chris get out.” A few seconds later, a witness said she heard Chris Carpenter say, “Oh god.”

Chris Carpenter came out of the room holding his chest and said, “Take me to the hospital,” a witness said.

In April, Haines’ ex-husband, who was Chris Carpenter’s father, Gary Carpenter, testified in a shaky voice that Haines loved her son very much. He said he and Haines worked together as a team to raise their children after their divorce.

When asked if he believed this was anything other than an accident, Gary Carpenter replied, “Absolutely not.”

He said everyone who knows Haines believed she shouldn’t go to jail. Neal asked him what punishment she should face if any.

“She’s been punished enough,” Gary Carpenter said.

Cory Carpenter, Chris Carpenter’s older brother, sobbed as he testified in April.

“We were best friends,” he said. “He wanted to be just like me.”

Many family and friends in the courtroom lowered their heads and began to weep as Cory Carpenter told about his mother and brother.

“He wouldn’t want anything to happen to our mom,” Cory Carpenter said in a voice choked with emotion as he tried to keep his composure. “She would never do anything like that on purpose.”

Gary Carpenter, who spoke with an AEN reporter by telephone in July 2007, said his son was a “typical teenager” who had the world by the tail and had recently dedicated his life to the Lord.

“He was a great kid,” Gary Carpenter said in a voice choked with emotion.

        

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