Story Published: Nov 5, 2010 at 6:59 PM PDT
Story Updated: Nov 5, 2010 at 6:59 PM PDT
The charge stemmed from an incident a year ago when his girlfriend at the time, Kristen Grindley, was found in a pool of blood on Pullman Albion Road.
The defense claims Grindley was obsessive and drunk and climbed into the back of Pasma's pickup and fell out, all without his knowledge.
By taking the Alford Plea, Pasma pleads guilty, but does not admit guilt, instead recognizing that he would probably be found guilty in a trial.
"The unknowns in this case, one of the biggest being, because of Ms. Grindley herself just can't recall, because her injuries were so severe she doesn't recall," said Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy.
As part of the plea agreement the prosecution dropped an extension to the charge for extenuating circumstances, which asked for an enhanced sentence. Pasma's standard sentencing range is now 3 to 9 months in jail.
He'll be sentenced on November 15th.
The Grindley family was in court Friday and spoke to the media after the hearing.
"We're really looking to put this whole thing behind us. And getting some sense of closure is comforting for us as a family," said Kristen Grindley's father Rick Grindley. "So does the 3 to 9 months standard feel fair? Not really to us, no. But we are happy to move on at this point and we will let the judge sentence accordingly."
Rick Grindley said his daughter is improving all the time, but it will be a long road with some hearing and memory loss.
"Every parent's worst nightmare," he said. "The first day we saw her in intensive care it was just a horrifying sight, to see your daughter and not knowing if she is going to make it through the day."
He said it was disturbing to see the letters the defense submitted to the court. Kristen said she can't remember writing them.
"There's no saying that he could have forced her to sit down and write that," said Kristen's mother Pat Grindley. "I feel that he was very abusive to my daughter."
Kristen said not remembering about a year's worth of time is frustrating.
"I want to remember it, just to have it like all solved," she said.
The family plans to testify at Pasma's sentencing.
"I know so many things that went on during their relationship that I've heard from Kristen and her friends and just from talking with her, that I hope that we get the chance to bring that all up," said Pat Grindley.
