Families linked by tragedy; day of sentencing is day of pardons

Kim Smith

Wednesday, March 22, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

What happened in District Judge Joseph Bonaventure's courtroom Tuesday morning was heartbreaking. What happened afterward in the hallway was inspiring.

It was a simple exchanging of addresses, but for two families with nothing in common but a strong love of God and a tragedy, it was a step toward healing.

Otis Haley, 25, was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for the November 1999 death of Walter Baas, a 51-year-old doctor from South Dakota. Haley pleaded guilty last month.

Baas was walking near the Tropicana hotel-casino with his wife, Shirley, when Haley, high on methamphetamine, plowed into him with his car.

Bonaventure sentenced him after watching eulogies from Baas' funeral and hearing the gut-wrenching testimony of Baas' family.

It was after the hearing that Haley's mother, Cynthia Haley, approached the Baas family, and the families shared their tears.

"My son took something away from those people, something they loved very much and I just felt the need to tell them how sorry I am and how sorry he is," Cynthia Haley said. "We both lost something today."

Cynthia Haley said her son also asked her to speak with Baas' family. He wanted them to know that he understood that whatever sentence he got would be minor compared to the time they lost with Baas.

During their conversation, Walter Baas Sr., 89, gave Cynthia Haley his address and the address of the Baas' family's church. He also invited her to join them in church some day.

The gesture meant a lot to Cynthia Haley, who blames herself for her son's troubles. According to court testimony and Haley herself, Otis Haley and his siblings were taken from her when he was 12 because of her addiction to alcohol and drugs. He spent most of his youth being shuffled around or on the streets.

Cynthia Haley, who says she hasn't used drugs since she found God, said the only reason her son was high that night was because his wife had just left him and taken their four children to California.

"My son's a loving person. He would never hurt anyone intentionally," Cynthia Haley said.

Sobs filled the air as the Baas family members spoke, but perhaps more so when his college-aged daughter, Laura, addressed Bonaventure.

There will be no more letters filled with pocket money from her father and no one will enjoy her cookies as much as her father did, Laura Baas said. Her father will never again choose caddying for her over playing golf himself. Nor will he ever rub her feet or buy her Valentine's Day flowers.

Whenever she walks her dog, Shirley Baas said, she visualizes getting struck from behind by a car. She also spends many sleepless nights re-living her husband's final moments on Earth.

"I see my husband cartwheeling through the air and landing in a heap against a fence, blood pouring out of his mouth and his head smashed," Shirley Baas said staring at Haley. "I live with that every day of my life."

Kim Smith covers courts for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2321 or by e-mail at kimberly@lasvegassun.com