THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412180030
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
A jury has convicted a teenager of killing a friend in a car wreck while on a high from inhaling a cleaning solution.
Three youths were ``huffing'' a computer cleaner containing freon on July 29 in Stuart L. Kibler's car. Huffing is the practice of inhaling household products for a quick high.
Oliver R. Skinner was passed out in the back seat when the car, with Kibler at the wheel, plunged into a lake. Skinner was unable to get out of the car.
A Newport News Circuit Court jury on Friday convicted Kibler, 18, of involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence.
He faced a maximum sentence of 10 years.
The jury recommended a sentence of 10 months in jail and a $500 fine. Judge Warren Stephens scheduled Kibler's sentencing for Jan. 27, the day Skinner would have turned 17.
Stephens also confiscated Kibler's driver's license.
Kibler, who has maintained he should not be the only person held responsible for Skinner's death, showed little emotion as the jury's verdict was read. But at times during Friday's proceedings, the youth hung his head and wiped tears from his eyes.
``I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I tried to do what I could to get him out of the car, to get him to shore and do CPR, but it was too late,'' Kibler told jurors before they considered a sentence.
``I have said I was sorry the whole time. He was one of my best friends.''
Skinner's father, Mark, said he was upset by a defense strategy to portray his son as responsible for his own death.
During closing arguments, defense attorney Richard Kerns said Kibler should be acquitted because there was no evidence to determine exactly how Skinner died. Kerns said an autopsy should have been performed to determine if Skinner died from drowning or from inhaling the computer cleaner.
Kerns, who plans to appeal, said there was no evidence showing Kibler was intoxicated. Police didn't take blood or urine from Kibler for testing.
Kibler initially told police he had passed out after inhaling the computer cleaner. But during his testimony Thursday, he denied using the chemical.
He said he fell asleep because he was tired.
Newport News Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Cressondra B. Willis said Kibler's confession to police was enough to convict him.
``He showed a disregard for human life,'' Willis said. ``He knew before he got in that car the effect the freon would have on him, but he got behind the wheel.''
KEYWORDS: MURDER TRIAL VERDICT
by CNB