The woman accused of fatally shooting a Foreman, Ark., High School junior with an AR-15 rifle Jan. 23 during a birthday party, changed her plea to guilty Monday and was sentenced to 47 years in prison.
Traci Dierks, 41, of the Wallace community in Little River County, Ark., pleaded guilty Monday in the Little River County Circuit Court in Ashdown. Circuit Court Judge Charles Yeargan sentenced her to the maximum 30 years for the second-degree murder of 17-year-old Caitlin Caskey, Prosecutor Bryan Chesshir said.
She was also sentenced to one year in prison on a charge of aggravated assault for the AR-15 gunshot that struck another student in the arm, nine additional years on three counts of aggravated assault for pointing the weapon at other teenagers who attended the party, and seven more years on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minorbased on one year per each of seven counts-Chesshir said. The charges were filed for offering alcohol to underage students.
"There was no indication other than this was a horrific, out-of-mind case of stupidity. It's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. It was a horrific mistake," Chesshir said.
"It was like Russian roulette and spin the cylinder," he added. "Her daughters asked her not to have the gun out at the party."
Dierks had hosted other parties where she carried the rifle or a handgun to prevent fights, he said.
"Why would you want to have a party where you needed a firearm to make people not fight or tear up you house? And on top you're serving alcohol," he said.
The mother of the murder victim, Sonia Caskey, read a statement in court explaining how the death of her daughter has changed people's lives.
"By carrying the AR-15 rifle around at your daughter's birthday party after your daughters asked you not to is unreal. You, all by yourself, have changed their lives along with so many others forever," Sonia Caskey said.
"My prayer is that when you get out of prison you will commit your life to changing the way parents think that giving minor children alcohol and carrying a gun around could be anything but OK. I cannot fathom how your thought process allowed you to do this."
"Everyday when I go to work, I drive by the place where my daughter was shot and killed. A place where she thought she would go to have fun, make birthday wishes, and teenager fun. Instead, she was taken from me, her family, and her friends forever. I will never be able to be with her, see her smiling face or get a hug that I always looked forward to."
She also vowed to strengthen laws regarding alcohol consumption and misuse of weapon.
"I will make it my life's mission to speak out to anyone who will listen about ways to stop the destruction of lives by making stricter laws for parents who think it is OK to give underage children alcohol and misuse of weapons. I will be behind law enforcement who work for firmly enforcing these laws," she said.
Dierks turned toward the family and repeatedly apologized for her actions.
"I am so, so sorry," she said and then started sobbing.
Ashdown attorney Mickey Buchanan, who represented Dierks, said she opted to take the 30 years
"She was looking at 54 years and took the 47 years offered in the plea bargain," Buchanan said.
He said Dierks could be eligible for parole within eight years.
The shooting was reported at 9:21 p.m. on Jan. 23 in Dierks' residence at 2810 Highway 32 West between Ashdown and Foreman, Ark. Dierks was hosting a birthday party for her 16-year-old daughter.
The arrest affidavit said Dierks was reportedly serving gummy bears laced with vodka. The refreshment also included fruit soaked in alcohol and a blue cooler containing a punch made with alcohol.
Based on witness statements, Dierks was carrying the rifle around during the party. Witnesses said every time Dierks would answer the door, she had the rifle in her hands. While Dierks allegedly had the weapon, the firearm discharged a chambered bullet, striking Caitlin in the chest and fatally wounding her.
Juvenile No. 1 was standing behind Caitlin when the gun fired a bullet. He said after Caitlin had been shot and fell to the ground, his arm started hurting. The bullet had passed through Caitlin's body and pierced his jacket sleeve.
Juvenile No. 2 said Dierks pointed the gun at him and was pointing it at other people. When asked why, he stated he thought Dierks was trying to "be cute." He also stated he did drink alcohol at the party, provided by Dierks.
Juvenile No. 3 said he and another minor were standing in the kitchen. He asked his friend if the gun was loaded. The friend said, "I hope not because she's pointing it right at you." Juvenile No. 3 said he turned around and noticed the gun was pointing directly at him.
He then walked over to Dierks and asked her if it was loaded. Dierks reportedly said, "Yeah, look," and pulled back the charging handle. Juvenile No. 3 said he could see the bullet in the chamber, and when Dierks released the charging handle, the gun went off.
Dierks remains in the Sevier County jail in De Queen until she is transferred to prison. She was housed in the Sevier County jail because the Little River County jail does not house female prisoners.
