Dans Hamptons

Karen Fisher, the woman who, driving drunk, killed a well known priest walking by the side of the road in East Hampton last year, will serve 4 to 12 years in prison. Ms. Fisher not only killed this pedestrian, but left the scene of the accident. The new decision, which increases the amount of time she will spend incarcerated, was made by a judge in Riverhead last Thursday.

The outcome of this situation, a sad and tragic one involving a woman who is clearly addicted to alcohol, was inevitable because of Ms. Fisher‘s behavior after her arraignment.

Initially, she was released on bail, only to be arrested driving drunk again. Then, she was offered a probation situation in which she was required to go to rehab in Mastic during the day. But she arrived there drunk repeatedly and they threw her out. Finally, when she was arrested for driving drunk again, her bail was revoked and she was brought before the court and given a sentence greater than an earlier plea bargain arrangement, which would have put her in prison for 3 to 10 years.

The situation was exacerbated by Ms. Fisher‘s behavior in court. After her arrest and during her interrogation, it was reported that she said she was glad she had no memory of hitting the pedestrian, because she didn‘t want to feel responsible for his death. She also said that the whole thing was the fault of her husband, who didn‘t love her enough. Finally, when asked why she left rehab, she told the judge that it was because her husband said he would not continue paying for it. This was simply not true.

Ms. Fisher has a problem. She is a danger to herself and others. Hopefully, with good behavior, she will be let out and be able to rejoin society after three years.