Soldier guilty of involuntary manslaughter

A 20-year-old Fort Lewis soldier has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of his 16-year-old girlfriend in his barracks.

A military judge ruled Friday that Pvt. Timothy Bennitt was guilty of "aiding and abetting" Leah King's wrongful use of the painkiller oxymorphone and anxiety pill Xanax.

Lt. Col. Kwasi Hawks delivered the verdict on the fourth day of Bennitt's court-martial. Bennitt was sentenced to almost six years in military confinement, a reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and allowances and a dishonorable discharge.

Hawks' ruling doesn't necessarily mean Bennitt provided King with the drugs, but says his negligence led to her death.

King died Feb. 15, 2009. She and a friend overdosed on a combination of drugs but the friend recovered. Bennitt was 19 at the time.

Earlier this week, Bennitt pleaded guilty to drug charges.

On Tuesday, Bennitt's lawyers entered a guilty plea on his behalf for distribution of oxymorphone, oxycodone, marijuana and Xanax. He also plead guilty to use of oxycodone, oxymorphone, marijuana and cocaine.

Bennitt is originally from Rolling Prairie, Ind.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com