Man pleads guilty to negligent homicide in 2023 fire that killed Pineville woman
A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to causing the death of a Pineville woman in a fire almost a year ago.
Dorian Dewayne Lewis, 40, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the March 26 death Chong Cha Pak Daenen, 63, whose body was found after a fire at 719 Sanders St. in Pineville.
Both Lewis and a woman, Elizabeth Nicole Butler, were arrested on charges of negligent homicide, three counts of injury by arson and simple arson greater than $500. They later were formally charged with negligent homicide.
Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Patricia Koch sentenced Lewis to five years in prison, which is the maximum sentence.
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Lewis also pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony possession of less than 2 grams of meth and was sentenced to two years in prison.
He'll serve both sentences at the same time, according to online Rapides Parish Clerk of Court records.
Butler pleaded guilty Wednesday before Judge Chris Hazel to a felony charge of possession of meth, receiving a one-year prison sentence.
A pretrial conference on the negligent homicide charge was continued until July 17. Her trial was set for Aug. 12.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Dorian Lewis gets 5 years in fire that killed Chong Cha Pak Daenen, 63
