LIMA — For the second time in as many days, a family member pleaded guilty in Allen County Common Pleas Court Thursday to reduced charges and acknowledged his role in providing a lethal dose of fentanyl to Lima resident Cynthia Lewis.
Daniel Kill, 42, of Lima, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, and possession of a schedule II drug, a felony of the fifth degree, in connection with the Feb. 10 death of Cynthia Lewis, his sister.
On Wednesday, David Lewis, 42, of Lima, pleaded not guilty to identical charges in the death of Cynthia Lewis, who was his wife.
Both men were indicted by a grand jury in August on charges of involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony; and corrupting another with drugs, a felony of the second degree. Kill was also charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
Prosecutors alleged that Lewis and Kill “did knowingly … administer or furnish to” the victim a controlled substance, fentanyl, and cause “serious physical harm to Cynthia Lewis.”
During Thursday’s hearing, Kill accepted a negotiated agreement offered by prosecutors that called for him with withdraw his previous pleas and to plead guilty to the lesser charges. Judge David Cheney told Kill he could be sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison on the two new charges or, at the judge’s discretion, could face no prison time at all. He could also be sentenced to probation and could be fined up to $12,500.
Sentencing was scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 22.
Defense attorney John Hopkins asked Cheney to allow Kill to be released from custody on an own-recognizance bond and the judge agreed. He ordered Kill to be fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet and to abide by a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily curfew until sentencing takes place.
Cheney said the OR bond will allow the court “to see whether or not you are going to understand what is expected of you” in terms of compliance with court rules. Kill’s behavior will be taken under consideration at the time of sentencing, the judge said.
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