A Vancouver woman was sentenced Monday to 400 days in jail in connection with the death of a Skamania County man from a drug overdose in August 2013.
Andrea Thomas, 43, was accused of causing the death of 40-year-old John Cantwell by selling him methamphetamine. In a negotiated agreement, she pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court on Thursday to reduced charges, including attempted delivery of methamphetamine and tampering with physical evidence.
Deputy Prosecutor Dan Gasperino dismissed charges of controlled substance homicide and three counts of tampering with a witness. The witness allegedly saw the methamphetamine transaction between Thomas and Cantwell, but reportedly has credibility and possible mental health issues.
Gasperino said three DNA profiles on the plastic bag containing the methamphetamine that killed Cantwell didn’t match Thomas’ DNA profile.
“We felt the risk of a potential acquittal warranted us making the offer we made and getting some accountability out of the case,” Gasperino said Thursday.
The 400-day sentence is the equivalent to the time Thomas has already served in the Clark County Jail. Her daughter said that she would likely go home Monday.
In addition to her jail term, she is required to serve two years of probation and undergo a substance abuse evaluation and follow any recommended treatment.
Cantwell’s brother-in-law, Damon Messer Smith, said that the sentence was too lenient.
“Four-hundred-some-odd days?” Messer Smith said. “Someone lost a father, a friend, a brother and a son. I think that should hold a little more merit.”
He said Cantwell and Thomas had been dating off-and-on for about two years prior to Cantwell’s death, and Thomas regularly sold drugs to Cantwell. Messer Smith said he and his wife had “begged” Thomas to stop supplying Cantwell with drugs.
“We drove to Andrea’s house and asked her to stop selling him drugs,” he said.
“I told her he had no self-control,” he said.
Judge David Gregerson warned Thomas that he would remember her name and face.
“There is no more room for any more mercy or grace by the court,” Gregerson said. “I hope you understand that.”
