In a confused and psychotic way, Christiann Solomon thought she was doing her 9-year-old son, Donald, a favor when she killed him, her attorney said in court Monday.
In October 2002, she simply saw no other way out than to take the boy’s life and her own, Bill Jaquette told Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman.
Marysville fire and police officers found a 12-page suicide letter at a motel when Donald’s body was discovered. She was found unconscious in the same room, overdosed on drugs and with self-inflicted cuts on her neck.
McKeeman found there were clearly mental health issues, and she had been a victim of domestic abuse. Even so, those would not excuse Solomon for killing her son.
Solomon, of Renton, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and will have to undergo mental health treatment if recommended by a community custody officer when she’s released.
Jaquette asked the judge for the low end of the sentencing range, a little more than 12 years behind bars. Deputy prosecutor Helene Blume asked for the top of the range, about 20 years.
The defense lawyer said he’s not trying to shift the blame to anyone else, but he wanted the judge to know that Solomon is depressed, has a personality disorder and suffers from post-traumatic shock due to domestic abuse.
The defendant sobbed through most of the hearing, which followed her guilty plea in April to second-degree murder. Blume originally charged her with first-degree murder, which carries a much longer sentencing range.
Blume told the judge that Solomon’s mental health at the time of the crime was a significant reason why she agreed to reduce the charge.
“Everyone is in agreement she has some psychological issues,” Blume said. However, Blume said, she is still legally responsible for the stabbing death.
Blume sought the top end of the range because of the type of crime and the ordeal through which it put just about everyone involved in the investigation and prosecution.
“Anytime a child is killed it’s particularly hard with everyone involved with the case,” Blume told McKeeman.
Between sobs, Solomon told the judge she’s “so, so sorry. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I’m sorry. It’s hard to look outside. I think (Donald is) out there waiting for me.”
The judge said it was a tragic case, difficult on all associated with it. In reaching his decision, he explained, he had to balance her mental state with the seriousness of the crime. In some strange way, McKeeman said he’s convinced Solomon’s motive was to protect the child by killing him.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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