UPDATED: Wichita Falls woman sentenced for fentanyl-related death of boyfriend
A woman who testified against the drug dealer she bought deadly fentanyl from pleaded guilty Thursday to manslaughter for the death of 21-year-old Andres Diaz, who she had been in a romantic relationship with.
Leigha Ruth Smith, 23, was sentenced to 10 years of probation as part of a plea bargain in 89th District Court, court records show. Manslaughter is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The drug dealer who sold her the counterfeit Percocet that killed Diaz was convicted of murder in September in the first trial in Wichita County — and possibly the state — treating a fentanyl-related death as a homicide.
“The dealer who sold Mr. Diaz this poison has been dealt with by a Wichita County jury. Ms. Smith came before that same jury and truthfully told her story. She is now being held accountable for her actions," First Assistant District Attorney Dobie Kosub said in a statement Thursday.
Drug dealer Jasinto Jimenez was sentenced to 45 years in prison. The first-degree felony is punishable by up to life in prison.
The Wichita County District Attorney's Office met with Diaz's family before Smith's plea, according to the DA's Office statement.
"She will also be given an opportunity to break her chains of addiction. This is what the Diaz family wanted,” Kosub said. “The family, recognizing their son and the defendant loved each other very much, were supportive of the defendant receiving prolonged treatment."
Before Smith's community supervision begins, she is required to complete Texas' most rigorous lock-down drug program, which can last six months, according to the statement. She began serving her sentence immediately.
More: Wichita Falls man convicted in federal and state court for drug crimes
Smith was the first witness in Jimenez's murder trial, testifying about the night Diaz died.
In the hours before his death July 15, 2022, in Wichita Falls, Smith bought counterfeit Percocet from Jimenez, 22. She swallowed hers. Diaz crushed the pill Smith gave him and snorted it, resulting in a fatal overdose from the potent synthetic opioid.
Eighty-ninth District Judge Charles Barnard handed down a 10-year prison sentence for Smith, suspended in favor of probation, and a $1,500 fine. She has never been convicted of a felony previously.
Smith waived her right to appeal and will receive 375 days of credit for jail time served.
As part of her probation conditions, she is to undergo a mental health assessment and a drug and alcohol evaluation. She must then follow any recommendations. Smith is also required to perform 240 hours of community service.
She was first indicted on a charge of murder. But it was dismissed, and Smith was indicted on a manslaughter charge.
Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.
—
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls woman sentenced for boyfriend's fentanyl death
