08/20/2002

By KRISTA VASQUEZ and ABE ESTIMADA, KGW Staff

Former Olympic skater Tonya Harding entered a detention center Tuesday evening in Clark County, Wash. as part of her sentence for breaking probation.

She was sentenced on August 8 to spend ten days in jail for drinking alcohol while on probation.

She arrived about a half-hour before a 6 p.m. deadline to report to jail.

Tonya Harding is all smiles as she arrives to serve her jail sentence. (KGW Photo)

As Harding walked into the detention center, she credited her faith for her peace and calm.

“My faith in God and thanking Him for allowing me this opportunity to put my past behind me, and go on with my future,” Harding said. “I’m just really excited about everything, and thank you guys for all coming out here and giving me the support and putting me on TV.”

Harding asked to spend the time in isolation because she suffers from panic attacks. But she will instead spend the time in an area with 25 other women. She may also choose to work in the laundry room during her term. This could shorten her jail time from ten days to eight, if she behaves, according to authorities.

The Camas-Washougal municipal judge could have sentenced her to more than 5 1/2 months in jail on the probation violation, but instead gave Harding just a month in jail. He also suspended the term to 10 days, provided Harding completes 12 hours of classes for troubled young adults.

In April, 31-year-old Harding was behind the wheel of her pickup when it veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. She failed a field sobriety test and her blood-alcohol level was measured at zero-point-16 -- twice the legal limit in Washington.

The accident happened when Harding had less than a month to go on her two-year probation for hitting a boyfriend with a hubcap. As part of her probation, she was not allowed to consume alcohol.

She acknowledged violating that condition and pleaded guilty to drunken driving.

Harding's attorney, Steven Thayer, said the sentence was fair and wouldn't hinder the progress his client is making in treatment.

Harding said Tuesday that her two-year rehabilitation program is going well.

“My counselors are very excited about it, and I’m very excited about it. I’ve got a great future ahead of me, and I’m looking forward to it.”

As part of that deferred prosecution deal, Harding must complete intensive outpatient alcohol counseling for two years, said Thayer. If she stays out of trouble for five years, the charges will be dismissed, he said.

Harding’s probation stemmed from an assault case involving her boyfriend two years ago.

Harding spent three days in jail and served an additional 10 days on a work crew at the time as punishment for the assault, in which she whacked her then-boyfriend, Darren Silver, with a hubcap during a drunken argument at the rural home they shared.

Tonya Harding appears with her attorney, Jon McMullen, during a former court appearance. (AP File Photo)

In that case, she pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution.

Since then, she's been a sideshow attraction, last appearing on Fox-TV's "Celebrity Boxing" in March.

Harding said she will race stock cars for the Winston Cup when she gets out.

“I’m just really excited, and I just want to thank everyone who has been very supportive and everything,” she said.