Fort Lewis Army private charged in girl's death sold drugs, other soldiers say

FORT LEWIS, Pierce County — A Fort Lewis Army private charged with involuntary manslaughter in the drug-overdose death of his 16-year-old girlfriend regularly bought and sold prescription drugs and marijuana in dealings with other soldiers, according to testimony Wednesday at an evidentiary hearing on the post.

Army prosecutors presented the evidence during the second day of a hearing to determine whether Pvt. Timothy E. Bennitt, 19, should be tried by court-martial. In addition to the manslaughter charge related to the Feb. 15 death of Leah King, of Lakewood, in Bennitt's barracks room, Bennitt has been charged with the wrongful use and distribution of controlled substances.

Another 16-year girl also overdosed in the room, but she survived.

In Wednesday's testimony, one soldier testified he twice bought marijuana from Bennitt.

A military prosecutor sought to establish the soldier had bought marijuana and asked what effect the substance had. "It got me stoned, sir," replied the soldier, who also testified he had twice been demoted for being drunk on duty.

A second soldier testified he sold the prescription painkillers OxyContin and Percoset to Bennitt through a third party. Another, who changed his story several times during his testimony, said Bennitt sold him marijuana and provided him prescription drugs.

The defense was expected to begin its presentation Wednesday, but the prosecution case took up the entire day. The hearing was recessed until June 2.

Steve Miletich: 206-464-3302 or smiletich@seattletimes.com