Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for stabbing girlfriend

Standing before her young daughter, infant son and her sister, Hortencia Salas tearfully told the man who plunged a knife into her heart last year that she was angry she allowed herself to become a victim.

She had raised her daughter alone and had a good job at a luxury hotel, but when it came to her boyfriend, Carlos Diaz-Galvin, Salas admitted she endured more than she should have because she was in love. She was too ashamed to tell anyone about the violence that marred their relationship.

Diaz-Galvin, 25, was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison for attacking Salas with a knife in August 2008 when she was pregnant.

The sentence by King County Superior Court Judge Chris Washington was nearly twice as long as the standard range, but designed to protect Salas and her children from further violence.

Salas, 37, said that her injuries left her unable to work full time, resulting in her family being homeless for a period. While she supported the lengthy sentence, she wasn't sure how many years in prison would make up for what she and her family has been through.

"I was one of the people who said I will never be in this situation," Salas cried. "I forgive Carlos. I'm still working to forgive myself."

Last month, a jury found Diaz-Galvin guilty of first-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and unlawful display of a weapon. Diaz-Galvin was acquitted of second- and third-degree assault.

Defense attorney Lei Young said Friday that her client's actions were drunken crimes of passion, but Washington disagreed.

"I never really saw any passion, I just saw someone who was completely unpredictable," Washington said.

Deputy Prosecutor Tomás Gahan said that Diaz-Galvin had been drinking when he struck Salas' 11-year-old daughter the night of the attack. When the girl ran, Diaz-Galvin chased her out of the house and attacked Salas, who was trying to stop him.

Salas said that Diaz-Galvin punched her in the face, causing her to tumble down a flight of stairs. When her neighbors tried to help Salas into their North Seattle home, Diaz-Galvin lunged forward and thrust a knife into her heart.

Gahan, who requested the exceptional sentence, refuted the claim that Diaz-Galvin was unaware of what he was doing because he was drunk.

"This wasn't a drunken night. This was a cold and focused anger," Gahan said in court. "The standard sentencing range turns a blind eye to what he truly did."

When offered a chance to speak at his sentencing, Diaz-Galvin refused.

In addition to receiving an exceptional sentence, Diaz-Galvin is also forbidden from contacting Salas, her daughter, now 12, and 9-month-old Maximiliano, his son with Salas. The no-contact order will be in place for life.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com