Appeal filed over manslaughter sentence

SANDPOINT — A Washington state woman who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter is appealing the sentence handed down in her case.

Counsel for Bowdeen S. Kahuhu questions whether Judge Barbara Buchanan abused her discretion in giving Kahuhu the maximum sentence and whether the goals of sentencing could be accomplished by probation.

Kahuhu was charged following an Aug. 14, 2010, collision with a cyclist participating in an interstate relay race on Highway 41 in Blanchard.

Patricia Ann Lambie, a 46-year-old from Greenacres, Wash., was killed as she chaperoned a teenage runner in the Spokane-to-Sandpoint relay race. Lambie and the runner she was escorting were both wearing reflective garb in the 6:30 a.m. accident.

Kahuhu, 31, of Newport, Wash., was initially charged with manslaughter at the felony level, although her breath-alcohol concentration was below the legal limit to drive. The charge was subsequently amended to a misdemeanor and the accident was attributed to drowsy driving.

Kahuhu, a single mother of eight, tearfully apologized when she was sentenced on Nov. 24, 2010.

Judge Barbara Buchanan imposed the maximum punishment — a year in jail — partly to underscore the seriousness of driving while sleep deprived.

Kahuhu’s post-sentencing defense counsel, Val Thornton, filed papers Wednesday outlining the appeal issues and reserving the right to raise others. Thornton questions whether her client’s sentence was in accord with Idaho criminal procedures regarding judgments.