Powaukee sentenced to 10-30 years in prison on involuntary manslaughter conviction in Lewiston

Jalene B. Powaukee was sentenced to 10-30 years in prison Friday morning for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Desmond Oatman.

Nez Perce County Deputy Prosecutor April Smith presented the case for the prosecution for sentencing, including an emotional victim impact statement from Oatman’s mother, Carla Reynolds. Reynolds addressed her statement to Powaukee, asking her why she made the choice she did as well as sharing the pain and grief her family experience through their loss.

“I pray no one hurts you or your family the way you have hurt mine,” Reynolds said in her statement to Powaukee.

Public defender Rick Cuddihy asked for a fair and just sentence for Powaukee.

“This court can’t do justice,” Cuddihy said. “We can’t bring Mr. Oatman back, there’s nothing we can do.”

Powaukee also address the court and apologized to the family and said that if she could, she would go back to make a different decision.

Second District Judge Mark Monson went over the sentencing and the factors the court considers in the hearing at the Nez Perce County Courthouse in Lewiston.

“It is court belief the defendant’s actions did result in Mr. Oatman's death,” Monson said.

Powaukee found guilty by a 12-member jury after a three-day trial and two hours of deliberations. Powaukee was charged with involuntary manslaughter for leaving Desmond G.L. Oatman in an alley March 18, 2022, in North Lewiston, where he later died of an overdose.

The charging document stated that Powaukee was guilty of involuntary manslaughter by dumping Oatman’s body in an alley in which an ordinary person would conclude death might occur and that the action was a reckless disregard for the consequences of her actions and the rights of others. During the trial Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman and Chief Deputy Prosecutor April Smith argued that Powaukee caused Oatman’s death by leaving him in the alley while he was overdosing. Powaukee’s public defender Lawrence Moran argued that Oatman was already dead when he was left in the alley.

The maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter is 10 years, but Powaukee was also convicted as a persistent violator, which can bring the maximum penalty to life in prison.

Moran filed a motion to withdraw as Powaukee’s attorney Jan. 23 because of a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship. Monson granted the request and Cuddihy was appointed as Powaukee’s public defender, according to court documents.

Powaukee was also sentenced on a probation violation because the involuntary manslaughter took place while she was on probation. Monson sentenced her to complete the 2-4 year sentence for possession of a controlled substance which will run concurrently with the involuntary manslaughter sentence.