Thursday, she addressed the man responsible.

“My life was changed forever by the thoughtless actions” of Robert Denomy, Neils said in a prepared statement. A teary-eyed Neils stood beside her attorney, Daryl Graves, as he read her words during Denomy’s sentencing in Tacoma.

The 55-year-old Tacoma lawyer was ordered to spend five days in jail and five days on electronic home monitoring in connection with the boating accident. His jail term began Thursday.

Denomy pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of reckless endangerment, a gross misdemeanor, and two civil watercraft infractions – negligent boating and failure to report a boating accident within 48 hours.

Denomy was operating his 21-foot Bayliner the night of June 26, 2006, when it and a 25-foot Advantage motorboat collided in Commencement Bay near the Silver Cloud Inn on Ruston Way.

The Bayliner flew over the Advantage before landing back in the water. The Bayliner’s propeller left deep gashes on Neils’ hands. She was the only one of the six people on the Advantage hurt.

In her statement, Neils, 27, said she was incapacitated for five weeks. She went through a series of surgeries and therapy appointments. She no longer has full use of her hands.

Denomy made a brief statement to the court, acknowledging that he’d accept whatever sentence the court handed down.

Then, he turned to Neils.

“I truly didn’t know you were injured,” a choked-up Denomy said. “And I am very sorry for your injury.”

The 10 days of confinement was an agreed-upon recommendation from Pierce County prosecutors and Denomy’s attorney. Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Bruce Cohoe accepted the recommendation.

“This is a fair and just result,” Cohoe said. “Mr. Denomy has learned a significant lesson.”

Cohoe also ordered Denomy to pay $1,300 in fines and be on probation for two years.

Neils settled a civil damages claim against Denomy out of court. Terms were not disclosed.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

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