Sonya Lynn Fick, aka Sonya Lynn Armontrout
Sonya Lynn Fick, now 43, could be close to 73 years old when she leaves prison. That is if Judge Curtis D. Palmer accepts her plea agreement.
Fick appeared in Kosciusko Circuit Court this afternoon to plead guilty to murder and attempted murder, just days before her jury trial was scheduled to begin.
She will find out her fate at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at a scheduled sentencing.
Fick is charged in the murder of Steven Carman, 51, and injuring Joseph A. Glant, Warsaw, on Dec. 18, 2013. (See related)
Fick appeared in court, clad in prison clothing, hair partially in braids, and wearing glasses, with her attorney Anthony Churchward, Fort Wayne.
The plea agreement states she would plead guilty to the murder and attempted murder charges, with the sentencing on each count being consecutive. The remaining count of Burglary resulting in bodily injury would be dismissed.
The agreement additionally states the sentence will be 85 years with the initial execute sentence being 65 years. The remaining 20 years will be suspended and she would be placed on formal probation.
It was also stated in court that a pending domestic battery charge, a class D felony, would be dismissed.
A question of Fick’s mental status was addressed during the plea hearing. Churchward stated a forensic psychologist was retained and following a battery of test, Fick was found to be competent. She told the court she was currently on Zoloft, Risperdal and one other medication. Churchward also told the court she has been able to discuss the relevance and consequences of the charges with him.
Throughout the hearing, Fick kept her eyes focused on the judge and meekly answered his questions with a simple “Yes Sir.”
Family and friends of Carman, including Glant, were present in the courtroom. Following the hearing, Dan Hampton, prosecuting attorney, answered questions from the family, noting he was preparing for the trial, but had not prepared Fick and Carmen’s two daughters, who witnessed the murder.
Hampton additionally explained, if the plea is accepted, she will be given one day credit for each day served and there is no parole. That equates to approximately 32 and a half years.
Fick, who was initially charged with murder as Sonya Lynn Armontrout, was 42 at the time. According to investigators of the Kosciusko County Major Crimes Unit, Carman was ambushed in his home which was located at 44 EMS B10 Lane, Pierceton.
Fick reportedly broke into Carman’s residence and hid in a bedroom closet. When Carman, along with Joseph A. Glant, 54, of Warsaw, entered the home, Fick exited the closet and discharged a 9 mm handgun. Glant was struck but able to escape and call 911. Fick is also accused of stabbing Carman in the back. The assault took place in the presence of the couple’s two young children.