About Katie

The following are excerpts from character reference letters written to a judge on Katie’s behalf to give you an idea of who Katie is to those who really know her.

“During my relationship with Katie Sorensen I have experienced an individual who is gentle and kind, soft spoken and attentive to the needs of those around her. In addition, Katie Sorensen is a loving mother, and friend.”

“Katie is a devoted, responsible mother of three young children. She is a loving person who respects and treats others well.”

“I’ve known Katie to be full of compassion. I’ve seen her cry for others misfortunes. I’ve known her to not talk bad about others. A group of girls in college will inevitably resort to gossip in late night conversations, and I never remember Katie utter a single mean word. At worst, she would smile, not adding to the conversation.

“I also know Katie to be content as an observer. In fact, she married someone who is known to be the life of the party. I never saw Katie compete for that spotlight between him, myself (who likes attention plenty) or our other loud roommate. Katie was always content being the listener, and to this day, my conversations with her are the same, an imbalance of me chatting away, with her thoughtful responses and head-nodding.

Wouldn’t a person so bold as to fabricate this lie have a history of seeking attention? A history of dishonesty? Wouldn’t I have heard grandiose stories in our months of living together, if she were to be so bold as to fabricate this one? Wouldn’t I have seen that in a university where honesty is highly credited, and to be dishonest would result in suspension or dismissal? Wouldn’t a person so callous as to disregard the lives of two innocent people have a history of callousness? Wouldn’t I have seen it? Wouldn’t I have heard racial slurs or racially insensitive jokes?

I would have. And I didn’t. Not once.

I’ve known Katie to fiercely protect and honor her kids. Most moms can relate to this sentiment. She would never put them in danger. Anyone knows the dangers in fabricating a story for attention or for the purpose of racial profiling. She wouldn’t risk it for anything, especially for a few minutes of fame— fame she didn’t ask for or have any control of— and beyond that, she wouldn’t see any appeal in putting two innocent people behind bars.

I’ve known her to be a mother who loves her children with her entire being. Want to destroy Katie’s career? Congrats. You did it. Want to destroy her children’s lives? Keep going.

Never, would I ever have dreamed to see a world, where a mother doing her damndest to protect her children be punished to such an utmost degree. If you are looking for justice for years of wrongful racial profiling and innocent people incarcerated, you are looking in the wrong place. Never in history has two wrongs ever made a right. “

“Katie Sorensen has positively impacted me in my personal life by being there through my most challenging times in high school and my early years in college. Being a first-generation Latina student, there were multiple times when I felt lost and out of place, but Katie was like a big sister to me, guiding me and giving me advice for life when I needed help. She was always welcomed in my home, had my parents’ complete trust, and I was always more than happy to babysit her kids, whom I deeply love. Katie Sorensen is one of the kindest souls I have ever come across, and very much blessed to have her in my life.”

“…during the fires of 2017, Katie self-organized a donation drop and distribution to families in need. The tireless and selfless effort she put into this massive undertaking during a time of crisis in our community continues to inspire me.

My personal interactions with Katie have demonstrated that she is a caring, selfless & honest individual with a big heart. She has never exhibited any signs of bias or intentional malice towards anyone. I can tell she cares deeply about her family and our community as a whole.”

“I’ve witnessed her advocate for her children. I’ve seen her serve her community in times of need. I’ve been by her side as she experienced sorrow, while continuing to nurture her friends and family. I’ve seen how fiercely she loves her people.

I am incredibly grateful for the friendship I have with Katie. I admire her patience, and ability to see the good. I’ve always seen her lead with kindness, a trait she’s instilled in her children, too. She remains true to herself and is a light to those who know her.

Katie has demonstrated tremendous strength during great struggles, and she has remained a constant in my life. She is kind, and true, and she lives with integrity.”

“Katie is an exemplary mother, who is devoted to her children. She is an advocate for children with special needs and has become an expert on children with autism. As a mother of four myself I encouraged my kids to spend time with Katie and her family, knowing that she was responsible, safe and a good example. “