By Dennis Sherer, Times Daily

A Lauderdale County man convicted of vehicular homicide in February received the maximum sentence for the crime Thursday.

Circuit Court Judge Mike Suttle sentenced Daniel Natjiblu Baker to five years in prison in the death of Loree Octivine White in a wreck on Lauderdale 47 near Greenhill on Dec. 2, 2005.

Baker had been charged with manslaughter, but the jury convicted him of the reduced charge after six hours of deliberations.

White, 66, of Loretto, Tenn., was returning home after going to Florence to have her hair styled and to buy Christmas gifts.

During the two-day trial, a forensic expert testified Baker had higher than therapeutic levels of the muscle relaxant Soma and tranquilizer Valium in his bloodstream at the time of the accident.

Baker testified at the trial that he had taken the medications in accordance with his prescriptions and that his driving was not impaired at the time.

State trooper Cpl. Thad Chandler testified Baker’s car was 3.5 feet into White’s lane when the vehicles collided head-on.

Baker, 29, of Florence, apologized Thursday for the wreck but denied being under the influence of drugs.

White’s grandson, Brandon White, and son, Bryan White, asked Suttle to impose the maximum sentence.

“When my family and I went to gather her belongings from her vehicle on Dec. 3, 2005, I was absolutely mortified, grief stricken, and destroyed inside. My heart had completely broken and words cannot describe the pain I was in,” Brandon White said.

“I wish to state the jury did not make a fair decision, and completely ignored the evidence the state clearly provided against him. I truly believe the sentence was unfair and my family is having a hard time dealing with that.”

He told Baker that he forgives him. “I forgive you because if my grandmother were alive today, she would want me to forgive you. I forgive you because I was taught growing up to forgive those who trespass against you, but not to forget.”

Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly argued that Baker has received numerous traffic tickets, had several wrecks, is a dangerous driver who abuses drugs and should receive the maximum sentence.

Lauderdale County sheriff’s deputy Tim Ray testified that Baker was arrested Friday for possession of marijuana and a controlled substance medication without a prescription after police stopped a vehicle he was riding in for a traffic violation.

Defense attorney Jamy Poss told Suttle that Baker is a hard worker who is remorseful for the accident and asked the judge to grant him probation.

Connolly said the district attorney’s office would pursue Friday’s drug possession charges against Baker while he is serving his prison sentence.