published: Friday, February 01, 2013

Woman, 88, sentenced to 5 years in husband's stabbing

News-Sun staff

SEBRING - Doris Smith has been sentenced to five years in prison for the October 2011 stabbing of her then 95-year-old husband Chester Smith.

Smith's remorse and credit for time already spent in prison are the two main factors for the reduced manslaughter sentence, which normally carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. Smith was also sentenced to 10 years probation following her prison time.

A previous Highlands County Sheriff's Office report revealed that Smith stated she was simply "tired of caring" for her husband.

Chester, who had suffered major sight and hearing loss, was found lying on his left side in the master bedroom of the couple's home. The reports stated that "three large kitchen knives, which were embedded past the hilt, were protruding from his exposed right side."

Smith stabbed her husband eight times, according to the autopsy report.

Judge David Langford was asked this week to reduce the sentence more by the defense team, which Langford denied.

Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin stated that the fact that Smith believed that she was doing the best thing for her husband, unfortunately does not legally justify the murder.

Smith will be 93 when her sentence is up.