A Gary woman was sentenced to six years Tuesday in absentia for opening fire near a man at a Hobart gas station.

Zakira Porter, 38, didn’t appear in court.

For several months, she has refused to leave her jail cell for hearings, including her trial last month. A jury convicted her of attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, three counts of criminal recklessness, one count of intimidation, pointing a firearm, and two misdemeanors.

She was acquitted on the final misdemeanor — refusing to identify herself for the cops.

Her defense lawyer Sonya Scott-Dix acknowledged that Porter has largely refused to participate in her legal defense, rebuffing attempts to reach out to her even after the verdict.

During the sentencing hearing, the lawyer asked for “some transition,” like probation or Lake County Community Corrections at the end of her prison term to help Porter reintegrate into society.

Deputy Prosecutor Gary Marek asked for seven years.

Hobart Police were called just after 5:30 p.m. on May 27, 2022, to a Luke Oil gas station, 3211 W. 37th Ave., now-Assistant Hobart Police Chief Nick Wardrip wrote. Victim Eric Carter told police he went inside at the same time as Porter and “jokingly” said that she almost hit him with the door.

“Have a blessed day,” he said, walking back to his SUV.

Carter testified that appeared to set Porter off, and they began trading words, before she pepper sprayed him. She said she had a gun and would shoot him, documents state. He responded there wasn’t a need to shoot over something “so small,” the affidavit states.

Porter then pulled out a pink and silver revolver, firing a shot, documents state. Security video appeared to corroborate the man’s story, who appeared to duck at one point, the affidavit states. She fired a second shot while he drove off, he said.

Police did not find any bullet holes in the man’s vehicle.

A woman in a jean jacket and grey sweatpants — later identified as Porter — fled in a red GMC van. She was pulled over and arrested on W. 39th Street with her daughter in the van, documents state.

Police saw the child appeared to have been whipped with an electrical cord for some time. That led to a second criminal case for battery and neglect. After her conviction in absentia, Porter was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in December.

In that case, Deputy Prosecutor Michelle Jatkiewicz argued the child had been tortured. Scott-Dix asked for leniency, saying Porter had no criminal history and struggled with mental illness.

During the hearing Tuesday, Judge Salvador Vasquez said Porter’s mental health struggles didn’t “excuse or justify” what happened.

Post-Tribune archives contributed.