FORT LEWIS, Wash. -The General Court-Martial case of U.S. vs. Pvt.

Timothy E. Bennitt, is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January

19.

Charges of involuntary manslaughter against Private (E-2) Timothy E.

Bennitt were referred to trial by General Court Martial following an

investigation into the February 15, 2009 death of Leah King, 16, in a

barracks on Fort Lewis.

Bennitt was charged March 10, 2009 under the following articles of the

Uniform Code of Military Justice:

   Article 119 - Involuntary Manslaughter (two specifications)

   Article 112a - Wrongful use and distribution of controlled substances

(eight specifications)

   Article 81 - Conspiracy to use controlled substances (one

specification).

If convicted of all charges (and specifications), the maximum punishment

is reduction in rank to private (E1), forfeiture of all pay and

allowances, confinement for 100 years, and a dishonorable discharge. 

Fort Lewis officials emphasize that the charges are merely an accusation

and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.