Grace E. Barker consults with her lawyer Shane O’Rourke in Lewis County Superior Court.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The judge went along with the plea agreement that gave a Mossyrock woman just over two years in prison for stabbing the father of her baby, instead as much as 15 years behind bars had she gone to trial and been convicted.
Grace E. Barker, 26, was accompanied by her defense attorney Shane O’Rourke yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court.
O’Rourke and Lewis County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher spoke of some of the reasons behind the deal.
O’Rourke said he had been working toward an argument of self defense, but it was imperfect and incomplete given an allegation of substance abuse and his client’s inability to recall. At one point they seriously considered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutors wrote in charging documents that Brian Slater was trying to get Barker to leave his Mossyrock home when she picked up what he has said was a 10-inch stiletto knife. He said he armed himself with a knife and when he threw his down thinking she had done the same, she stabbed him in the throat.
At the time of her arrest on April 6, Barker was homeless although Slater sometimes let her stay at his residence.
Meagher told the judge the victim has made a full recovery.
The original charge of first-degree assault was dropped to a charge of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon.
Judge James Lawler yesterday afternoon said he would follow the attorneys’ recommendations. Barker chose not to make a statement on her own behalf.
“You are very lucky that this is what’s happening today,” Lawler told her. “You’re lucky Mr. Slater didn’t die, you’re lucky Mr. O’Rourke was able to work out this deal for you.”
The judge sentenced her to 26 months in prison and 18 months of supervision after her release. He also made a finding that would require she be evaluated for substance abuse and follow up with treatment.
Meagher said outside the courtroom his reading of the defense’s therapists findings were that Barker’s situation was chemically induced.
“She has a terrible meth addiction,” Meagher said.
Part of the reason behind the deal was because prosecutors took the victim’s wishes into account, he said.
“There’s a lot going on when we do these plea bargains,” Meagher said. “There may have been a self defense claim; probably not enough to get over the hurdle, but we don’t want to take that chance.”
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For background, read “Mossyrock argument: Two knives, one airlifted, other arrested” from Thursday April 7, 2016, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Of course I am Redneck! I beat the crap out of women all the time! Actually I only beat women. And I only commit hate crimes. What else is a guy to do if he comes home and finds the kitchen empty or finds out she has been learning how to READ!!!!
In all seriousness no I don’t beat women. I don’t hit children or even men for that matter. I feel as though i am above that type of behavior and i feel badly for those who have to hit people as a go to when trying to solve an issue or because they are childish or butt hurt.
This attitude did not serve me very well of course as if i was a member of the slap-a-ho tribe i would have no doubt been aggressive when confronted with a huge fucking knife and not just disarming myself at the soonest possible time as to avoid anyone being injured. I will admit one thing though. Man or woman, someone comes at me with a knife is going to find themselves in a fight for their life because i won’t hesitate again and i don’t care if you are joking it isn’t funny any more is it?
Oh what happened to the whole truth will come out crew? And Joker, you have never even met me have you? Probably never will either. Not that i am refusing to help out with the adults in this community that are functional illiterates and the learning and developmentally disabled, i just never did hang out with or meet the people that i have come to learn would drive around to, that i didnt know, where she would spin “he beats me” stories to anyone who felt it was a CNS handout for her. I imagine had grace stayed out i never would have heard this malarkey. You were snow jobed for your drugs joker. Like the stripper who is earning money to get through college. I have been stabbed more than once, kicked, punched, blackened eyes dislocated fingers, numerous burns and cuts, and 3 trips to the hospital all related to your poor mrs barker who also must just “incidentally” have been convicted of 3 violent crimes in the last 10 years. She of course went for pregnancy and refusal to take her kidney meds. This is all a matter of record. I have no violence in my history anywhere in my 37 years on this earth and it is because its only ever been used by me as a tool of last resort and yes i do mean AFTER running away when i have been followed or cornered. My entire life.
Oh yeah king gringo, now in hindsight you have had this startling realization that getting an aquital would have been more mentally hygenic? Yeah, reform and correction indeed. Blocked the ability of one of the more fragile people in this community from getting help and tossed them in criminal school. damn however happy with the plea that was agreed to. Her attorney did great and the prosecutor listened to what i had to say and i cannot express my shock and disbelieve. Its good to hear you are listening to te community and victims. This was a case for aquittal on appeal of a guilty rulng on the insanity had the gone for it based on my very limited understanding of several cases going back in supreme court case law in the united states where something called “settled insanity” having to do with comorbidity in regards to mental health diagnosis and problems that arrive from lont term sustained amphetamine abuse vs acute intoxication. But whatever. The truth of the matter was there the entire time now that its all laid out
Prison is not the place to get mental health treatment if it is really warranted.
An insanity plea might’ve been the best thing so this woman could’ve gotten the help she so obviously needs. I’m not convinced that two years in Purdy will do her that much long-term good.
Jokerjoker, where did you learn how to spell?
You a women beater Brian?
If you ask me his ass should be going with her loard knows hes put hand on her plenty to work up the guts to stab his ass
I love you Gracie. “May have not been enough to get over that hurdle” must be legal jargon for “not a snowballs chance in hell” it would have landed you back at an insanity plea sweatheart. I hope you make good choices in there. I have been working very hard at successfully making good Choices out here. I’m….. resisting the urge to write to grace here and now as these. Articles and discussions are the closest things to keeping her alive in my life and I apologize if anythings I may have said on these posts have played out like that.