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Sentencing hearing begins for Waseem Daker

Waseem Daker September 19, 2012 - Atlanta, Ga.,: Waseem Daker is acting as his own lawyer during his trial at the Cobb County Superior Courthouse Wednesday afternoon in Marietta, Ga., September 19, 2012. Waseem Daker is defending himself against charges that he killed Blatz's roommate, Karmen Smith, on Oct. 23, 1995, and injured Smith's 5-year-old son by stabbing him numerous times. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM (Jason Getz)
(Jason Getz)

Waseem Daker has been convicted of murdering a Cobb County flight attendant and stabbing her five year old 17 years ago.

But the next question is how many years will Daker spend in prison?

The sentencing phase of the case starts Monday at 10 a.m.

The maximum sentence is life plus about 45 years. But he will be eligible for parole since those were the sentencing guidelines in 1995. Prosecutors did not know how soon that will be.

Friday jurors found Daker guilty on 11 counts related to the murder of Karmen Smith and her son’s stabbing.

It took the jury four hours to deliberate.

“Today is not a great day for our family,” Smith’s brother, Jim Horan, said. “It is just another day without our sister, our mom, our daughter, Karmen. We miss her every day, and we’re glad that justice has been done.”

Horan says the family will say more after sentencing is complete.

Daker was a suspect in both crimes, but wasn't linked by DNA evidence to the murder case until 2009.

He is serving as his own attorney after burning through three defense teams.

Daker claims DNA evidence and character testimony was all an attempt by the prosecution to "make [him] look bad."

Daker did not flinch when the jury read the verdict.

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