By Scott North
Herald Writer
A North Bend woman pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide Monday for her role in a fatal June 9 car crash that took the life of her 9-year-old daughter in south Snohomish County.
Anita Marie Durrett, 42, was charged with the felony after she allegedly fled the scene of a shoplifting near Woodinville and crashed while driving nearly 80 mph along a winding, hilly two-lane road. Durrett’s daughter, LaDawna, was in the car and died of head injuries.
During a brief hearing on Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court, Durrett entered a so-called Alford plea. In court papers, the woman said she believed herself innocent, but acknowledged she’d likely be convicted if the case went before a jury.
Judge Kenneth Cowsert agreed there was a "very strong likelihood" that Durrett would be found guilty as charged. He scheduled sentencing for May 14.
Durrett’s attorney, Jim Rosenberger of Seattle, said his client will seek a sentence below the roughly two-year prison term mandated under state sentencing guidelines.
Durrett had earlier fled from an Albertson’s supermarket in King County, where she allegedly was spotted wheeling a cart of groceries to her car without paying.
Store employees followed Durrett in their own car, at one point blocking her path at a stop sign, according to court papers.
The confrontation at the stop sign was more than a mile away from the store, and witnesses said the store employees kicked Durrett’s car and were menacing her, Rosenberger said.
"There is much more to it than meets the eye," the attorney said, adding that he’s seen no evidence his client was driving recklessly until after the confrontation at the stop sign.
In court papers, prosecutors said Durrett hit one of the workers as she tried to get away.
The accident occurred on 75th Avenue SE south of 240th Street SE, just inside Snohomish County north of Woodinville.
You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431
or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.
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