Debra Patton said she is “blameless” and is looking to appeal the verdict during her sentencing hearing.

CARROLLWOOD, Fla. — The Hillsborough County woman convicted of killing her sister in 2021 has been sentenced to life in prison.

On Monday, a judge sentenced Debra Patton to life in prison one month after a jury found her guilty in the murder of her sister, Karen Pais. She is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm and abuse of a dead human body.

Following the judge’s sentencing, Patton responded, saying she is “blameless” and is looking to appeal the verdict. She also commented on statements made by close friends of her sister during the hearing.

“Her death was not just a loss, it was a shock that shattered a sense of safety and trust,” Pam, a friend of Karen, said. “What made this especially difficult is knowing this was a deliberate act. Karen’s life was taken intentionally. That reality weighs heavily on all of us.”

“For months before her death, Karen said, ‘If something happens to me, tell them it was my sister, she is going to kill me,'” Jan, another friend, said. “What else could we have done as friends to save our friend’s life?”

Patton called their comments lies while vowing to continue to prove her innocence. 

“I do also forgive everything I just heard in here that was a lie,” Patton responded. “I am going to continue to fight this.”


The shooting death of Karen Pais

Debra Patton, 67 years old at the time, was arrested in 2021 after deputies found her sister, Karen Pais, dead inside a Carrollwood-area home.

Investigators say Patton had been living with her sister at a home on Cypress Park Street, not far from Gunn Highway (County Road 587). 

Pais’ friends contacted law enforcement after not seeing her for several days.

The following morning, authorities searched the home with a warrant and found her body.

Patton was arrested that day initially on just the charge of abuse of a dead human body. She was then charged with second-degree murder the day after her arrest.

Previous 10 Tampa Bay News coverage contributed to this report.