STUDENT GETS YEAR FOR DRUG PARTY THAT LED TO DEATH

YUBA CITY -- Tomio A. Izumi, 19, was sentenced Thursday in a Sutter County
courtroom to 360 days in jail for drug offenses relating to the 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 is thought to have obtained the drugs
that killed her.

Somber relatives looked on as Izumi broke into tears, expressing his
"regret, sorrow and remorse" for the tragic effect his conduct had on
Crowder, her family and friends.

Izumi told Superior Court Judge Robert Damron that he had given the events
at the April 26, 2002, barbecue a lot of thought and realized he had made
serious errors of judgment.

People think such things can't happen to them, "but it can happen to all of
us," Izumi told Damron.

"No one is perfect in life," he said. All one can hope for is "to be given
a chance to make amends," he added.

Crowder died April 27 after ingesting the Ecstasy at a party Izumi hosted
while his parents were away.

He was accused of hindering calls for medical help to protect himself and
his friends from trouble.

Izumi was not charged with providing the drug that caused Crowder's death,
but he entered a no-contest plea 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 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 sent to jail immediately
to prevent him from completing the semester at California State University,
Chico, where he is studying engineering.

Damron declined, saying that in approving the negotiated plea, "the court
had promised not to do that."

Izumi was given a stay of sentence that allows him to surrender to
authorities June 2.

Damron considered Ford's other request that Izumi be ordered to speak to
community groups about the dangers of drugs, saying he would allow it if
Izumi so chooses because such talks are useful only when done sincerely.

Izumi's courtroom statement had persuaded the judge that he might be "an
effective presenter" after all.

Izumi also was ordered to pay $3,400 restitution and put on five years
probation.

Defense attorney Dennis Hoptowit later confirmed that "if subpoenaed by
appropriate parties, (Izumi) would testify" in three pending trials in
which partygoers are accused of perjuring themselves before the grand jury
investigating Crowder's death.