Former ASU student Kaci Sloan was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday for stabbing a student before class on the West Valley campus in September 2024.
Sloan pleaded guilty to two felony charges, and she will serve the sentences concurrently, with two years and three months for disorderly conduct with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument and 11 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
The defendant, as well as many of her family members, spoke on her behalf in the hearing. While the victim, Mara Daffron, was not at the hearing, her family members were in attendance.
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According to the ASU Police Department report submitted to the North Valley Justice Court in September 2024, the incident occurred when Sloan and the victim entered their microeconomic principles class within the Sands Classroom Building.
The report said prior to the class starting, Sloan ran and attacked the victim, stabbing the left side of her body multiple times before two witnesses intervened. ASU PD responded to the incident and took Sloan into custody.
Daffron was taken to Banner Thunderbird Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and underwent surgery later on, according to the report.
At the time of the incident, the police reported a notebook with letters to Sloan's family and friends in her backpack, which detailed struggles with mental health. Sloan admitted to the police that she planned to hurt somebody the night prior to the incident, according to the report.
The prosecutor for the State, Andrew Faas, described the incident as "heinous," "brutal" and "akin to a school shooting." Faas also said Daffron was not the only victim in the case, as the other people present in the classroom were also victims.
After the prosecution's presentation concluded, the family of the defendant was allowed to speak on behalf of Sloan. Sloan's father, mother and two siblings spoke to her character and expressed their commitment to supporting her throughout her incarceration and eventual release.
Sloan's family also discussed what they had learned about in regards to her mental health struggles leading up to the incident. They also spoke of the manner in which Sloan had begun receiving professional mental health treatment.
Sloan also spoke for herself. She said the incident was a "terrible choice" and expressed her regret for her actions. She also said that, while incarcerated, she intends to continue utilizing the resources available to her to improve her mental health and well-being.
Edited by George Headley, Henry Smardo, Sophia Braccio and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporters at kagore1@asu.edu and sjames51@asu.edu and follow @kategore_17 and @sennajames_ on X.
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Senna James is a Managing Editor at The State Press. She is in her 5th semester with The State Press working previously as Community and Culture Editor and Community and Culture reporter.
Kate Gore is the Science and Tech Desk editor, ensuring accurate coverage of the scientific endeavors completed by ASU faculty and students and their impact on the broader community. She is beginning her second year on staff at The State Press. She previously worked as a Community and Culture Reporter, shining light on important events and happenings around campus.
