Izumi gets 360 days for conduct at fatal party
YUBA CITY (3/20/03) -- Tomio A. Izumi, 19, was sentenced in a Sutter County courtroom Thursday to 360 days in jail for drug offenses relating to Ecstasy overdose death of Nicole A. Crowder, 17, last year.
In an emotional statement, Izumi admitted being indirectly responsible for Crowder's death because he hosted the party where she allegedly obtained the drugs that killed her.
Somber relatives looked on as Izumi broke into tears as he told the court of his "regret, sorrow and remorse" for the tragic effect his conduct had had on Crowder, her family and is friends.
Izumi told Superior Court Judge Robert Damron he had given the events at the April 26, 2002 barbecue party a lot of thought an realized he had made serious errors of judgment.
People think such things can not happen to them, "but it can happen to all of us" Izumi told Damron.
"No one is perfect in life," Izumi said. All one can hope for is "to be given a chance to make amends," he added.
Crowder died April 27, 2002 after ingesting the drug Ecstasy at a party Izumi held while his parents were away. He was accused of hindering calls for medical help in order to protect himself and his friends from trouble.
Izumi was not charged with providing the drugs that caused Crowder's, but did plead no contest in January to drug offenses, including maintaining a house where drugs were dispensed.
Deputy District Attorney Susan E. Green and Damron both said they were moved by the apparent sincerity of Izumi's final statement.
"It's the first time I've seen him show remorse," Green said.
Crowder's mother, Kathy Ford, asked that Izumi be committed to jail immediately, so he could not complete his current semester at Chico State University where he is studying engineering.
Damron declined, saying that in approving the negotiated plea "the court had promised not to do that."
The sentence was then stayed to allow Izumi to surrender to Sutter County jail authorities June 2, to serve his time. He is expected to return to college for following year.
Damron did partially grant Ford's other request that Izumi be ordered to do speak to community groups about the dangers of drugs, saying he would allow it if Izumi chose to do it, since such talks were only useful when they were done sincerely.
Izumi's courtroom statement had persuaded him that he might be "an effective presenter" after all, Damron said.
Izumi was also placed on five years orobation and ordered to pay some $3,400 in restitution to the victim's family.
During the sentencing, defense attorney Dennis Hoptowit assured Damron that Izumi had "cooperated throughout with law enforcement and will continue to do so."
Hoptowit later confirmed that "if subpoenaed by appropriate parties (Izumi) would testify" in three pending trials in which other party-goers are accused of perjuring themselves before the grand jury investigating Crowder's death.
YUBA CITY (3/20/03) -- Tomio A. Izumi, 19, was sentenced in a Sutter County courtroom Thursday to 360 days in jail for drug offenses relating to Ecstasy overdose death of Nicole A. Crowder, 17, last year.
In an emotional statement, Izumi admitted being indirectly responsible for Crowder's death because he hosted the party where she allegedly obtained the drugs that killed her.
Somber relatives looked on as Izumi broke into tears as he told the court of his "regret, sorrow and remorse" for the tragic effect his conduct had had on Crowder, her family and is friends.
Izumi told Superior Court Judge Robert Damron he had given the events at the April 26, 2002 barbecue party a lot of thought an realized he had made serious errors of judgment.
People think such things can not happen to them, "but it can happen to all of us" Izumi told Damron.
"No one is perfect in life," Izumi said. All one can hope for is "to be given a chance to make amends," he added.
Crowder died April 27, 2002 after ingesting the drug Ecstasy at a party Izumi held while his parents were away. He was accused of hindering calls for medical help in order to protect himself and his friends from trouble.
Izumi was not charged with providing the drugs that caused Crowder's, but did plead no contest in January to drug offenses, including maintaining a house where drugs were dispensed.
Deputy District Attorney Susan E. Green and Damron both said they were moved by the apparent sincerity of Izumi's final statement.
"It's the first time I've seen him show remorse," Green said.
Crowder's mother, Kathy Ford, asked that Izumi be committed to jail immediately, so he could not complete his current semester at Chico State University where he is studying engineering.
Damron declined, saying that in approving the negotiated plea "the court had promised not to do that."
The sentence was then stayed to allow Izumi to surrender to Sutter County jail authorities June 2, to serve his time. He is expected to return to college for following year.
Damron did partially grant Ford's other request that Izumi be ordered to do speak to community groups about the dangers of drugs, saying he would allow it if Izumi chose to do it, since such talks were only useful when they were done sincerely.
Izumi's courtroom statement had persuaded him that he might be "an effective presenter" after all, Damron said.
Izumi was also placed on five years orobation and ordered to pay some $3,400 in restitution to the victim's family.
During the sentencing, defense attorney Dennis Hoptowit assured Damron that Izumi had "cooperated throughout with law enforcement and will continue to do so."
Hoptowit later confirmed that "if subpoenaed by appropriate parties (Izumi) would testify" in three pending trials in which other party-goers are accused of perjuring themselves before the grand jury investigating Crowder's death.
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