PROVO — A 22-year-old Springville man was sentenced to 18 months in the Utah County Jail for his role in the overdose death of his girlfriend.
Fourth District Court Judge Gary Stott also said he doesn't believe the truth has been told in the death of Danielle Hunziker, 18, who was allowed to die while her boyfriend, Bryton Nelson, was nearby.
Nelson pleaded no contest to charges of manslaughter and possession of heroin related to theProvo woman's death. The plea allowed him to avoid a court trial set to begin in early July.
He was sentenced Thursday to the Utah County Jail without access to drug treatment programs or work-release opportunities. He was also sentenced to two terms in the Utah State Prison — 1 to 15 years for manslaughter, a second degree felony, and 1 to 15 years for distribution and possession of a controlled substance, also a second degree felony.
The prison time will be deferred while Nelson is on probation for 36 months. If he violates the probation, he will go to prison.
Hunziker died July 9, 2000. She allegedly went to Nelson's home and accepted a 100-milligram dose of methadone. Nelson had been taking the methadone as part of treatment for his heroin addiction.
The heavy dose of methadone — addicts generally start on 30 milligram doses — put Hunziker into a coma and full cardiac arrest.
During the 12 hours prior to calling for medical help, Nelson allegedly ignored Hunziker's symptoms.
Stott said the tragedy was "no accident," and Nelson has not demonstrated remorse for Hunziker's death.
Stott ignored Nelson's attorney's arguments and said he agreed with prosecutor Sherry Ragan.
"The person who could have saved (Danielle's) life is the defendant," Ragan said.
And Stott said he was troubled by the actions of Nelson's mother, who reportedly walked by her son's room as she left for church services. The mother apparently saw the girl, who was unconscious, but didn't stop to investigate.
Nelson was ordered taken into custody immediately and instructed to pay $11,882 in restitution to the Hunziker family.
Kaylene Hunziker and Pete Hunziker said they will pursue legal action against Nelson for their daughter's wrongful death and bring the whole truth out then.
"He (Nelson) took our chances away to help our daughter whether she had a drug problem or not," said Kaylene Hunziker. "She was basically helpless. The only person who could help was Bryton, and he waited until she quit breathing before he called for help."
Pete Hunziker said he often talked with his daughter about drugs and usually when he went to pick her up from a party, she was the only one sober.
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