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Updated 08/14/2012 05:39 PM

Walton sentenced in 2010 fatal distracted driving case

By: Kate Gaier

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CHARLOTTE -- Leah Walton will spend at least two-and-a-half years in prison for running over two women in 2010.

A jury found Walton guilty of involuntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury on Monday. And on Tuesday, a judge sentenced her.

Life for Lisa McIe will never return to what it was before Aug. 22, 2010, but Tuesday, it got a little better.

"I was happy,” said surviving victim Lisa McIe. “I'm happy we got a little bit of justice here on earth and she's (Walton) going to have to clean up her act regardless."

A judge sentenced Walton to a minimum of two-and-a-half years and maximum of nearly four years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. She was given a suspended sentence of nearly two years for involuntary manslaughter.

Walton was also ordered to pay $18,000 for Lisa McIe's medical expenses.

It was mixed emotions for those close to this case. Family of Susan Karabulut, the nurse killed in the 2010 crash, wanted a stiffer sentence for Walton.

"I want Leah to know the pain she has caused my family, it will never go away,” said Susan Karabulut's sister, Teresa Fabrizio-Kane. “I do feel bad, she's a young lady, but she has to be responsible for her actions."

"No matter how much time there will never be justice for my daughter,” said Karabulut's mother, Isabel Fabrizio.

And more than anything, the families wanted an apology.

"Find some remorse, she has none,” said Karabulut's sister, Joyce Robinson. “She (Walton) has not shown an ounce of remorse, the only time she apologized was in front of the jury."

Walton's defense attorney immediately appealed her conviction. Her other charges were consolidated. Walton was also sentenced to probation for six years once she is released from prison.