Andrew Binion

Kitsap Sun

PORT ORCHARD — After deliberating for a day and a half, a Kitsap County Superior Court jury Wednesday convicted David Kalac of first-degree murder for the November 2014 death of girlfriend Amber Coplin, 30.

His attorneys did not contest that Kalac, 35, killed Coplin, whom Kalac lived with along with her middle-school-age son at her Port Orchard apartment. Instead, they argued to jurors that because of his severe alcoholism and brain disorders he was unable to plan to kill Coplin, a mother of five who had known Kalac since they were teens.

Instead, Kalac’s attorneys asserted that Kalac was more likely guilty of second-degree murder.

Jurors were shown the internet postings made by Kalac of Coplin’s body, in which alongside photos of Coplin, Kalac wrote that Coplin fought him “so damn hard” and that he expected Coplin’s son to find her body.

“I understand the doubts,” Kalac wrote on the internet site, where he also wrote he planned to kill himself. “Just check the f------ news.”

Testifying over two days, Kalac said from the time of Coplin’s death until his arrest he had only fleeting memories, including one of his hands around Coplin’s throat after the two had consumed more than a half-gallon of vodka. He told jurors his history of blackouts and false memories made his recollections unreliable.

In closing arguments, Kalac’s lead attorney, Adrian Pimentel cautioned jurors not to compare their anecdotal experiences with alcohol to Kalac’s condition, where he consumed a half-gallon of vodka a day along with about 18 cans of beer.

Coplin’s family members attended the entire trial. As the verdict was read by Judge Jeanette Dalton, they wept and hugged each other.

“Now Amber’s boys can find peace and start healing,” said Julie McGill, a victim’s advocate who spoke on behalf of Coplin’s parents. Family members also expressed thanks to jurors.

“Justice for Amber was a hard decision, but they are grateful,” McGill said.

In a written statement, Rebecca Coplin, Amber Coplin’s mother-in-law, said the trial had been a long, rough road for Amber’s sons and her husband, and they continue to miss her.

“I am hoping that now this is done and over that my son and grandsons can start the healing process and try to move forward the best they can,” Rebecca Coplin wrote.

The sentencing range for first-degree murder goes up to about 40 years. However, the jury of six men and six women also found Kalac guilty of two aggravators, that there was a foreseeable impact beyond the victim as well as for Kalac showing an egregious lack of remorse.

This will allow Judge Jeanette Dalton to exceed the range when she sentences Kalac on May 16.

Ione George, lead prosecutor on the case, said she was encouraged that Kalac would be held accountable for killing Amber Coplin.

George said she will ask Dalton for a sentence beyond the 40-year maximum.

“There is more to this than the sentencing range accounts for,” George said.

Prosecutors argued that evidence and some of Kalac’s own statements showed that when he attacked Coplin he began by strangling her with his hands, and then switched to a ligature, a cord or shoelace.

It was that “moment in time” that the premeditation occurred, George said, telling jurors that state law’s definition of premeditation might differ from what they have seen on television and movies.

“I think that’s what gets us there,” George said of proving the premeditation element of the first-degree murder charge.

Kalac’s lead attorney, Adrian Pimentel, complimented the work of the jury, prosecutors and law enforcement and said he felt horrible for Amber Coplin’s family.

“At the same time, alcohol played a huge role in this, and in 20 years, this verdict will be proven wrong by science,” he said.

Pimentel said Kalac would appeal.