During her court appearance in Riverhead on Wednesday, February 14, Karen Fisher of East Hampton, in her collared shirt and blazer, looked like any other suburban mom. However, unlike most moms, Karen Fisher has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, vehicular manslaughter, and three charges of driving while intoxicated or impaired.

Her first offense some years ago was minor — driving while impaired. Her second, committed last April, was the true forebearer of things to come. She had driven while intoxicated, with her two young sons in the car. It was not until July, however, when she hit retired Garden City priest, Msgr. William Costello with her minivan and killed him while driving intoxicated and without a license, that the courts finally put her behind bars. She pled innocent, even though the blood-spattered minivan was found parked in front of her home on Woodbine Drive in Springs. Her three-month stint in jail, considered lenient by most, ended abruptly when she was released on $250,000 cash bail.

Like any other addict, Karen Fisher returned to her old patterns once released and drank her way right into the Emergency Room at a local hospital on New Year’s Day, where she requested treatment for an undisclosed injury. Hospital workers, who noticed alcohol on her breath, reported the offense to her parole officer, prompting prosecutors to request that her bail be raised in order to keep her behind bars. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, Judge Doyle warned her that if she were found drinking again, she would return to the county jail.

While Karen Fisher was expected to reiterate her innocent plea at last Wednesday’s hearing, things took an unexpected turn when she pled guilty to all charges in front of Judge Doyle. Since she did this, the judge could decide on her sentence without the input of the prosecution, and give her the minimum required sentence under the law, which in this case is 3 1/3 to 10 years in prison. This decision infuriated the prosecution as well as District Attorney Spota, who feels that Fisher has been given too many chances, and has failed to change her ways in spite of them.

Only time will tell what Ms. Fisher’s future holds, as her official sentencing is scheduled to occur on March 1. If she is found drinking again before that day, the judge may rescind his offer of such a lenient sentence and instead dole out a much harsher punishment.

KAREN FISHER, DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED