Couple Linked to Fatal Apartment Explosion Agree to Plea Deal

A Livermore couple charged in a fatal apartment explosion due to illegal drug activity agreed to a plea deal Tuesday, according to a report by the Valley Times.

Evan Aviles, 23, and Lexie Hutson, 23, pleaded guilty to lesser charges and avoided possible life sentences, the Times reported.

The two were .

Officials said the illegal drug activity — reported May 21, 2011 — at Aviles' residence on Silver Oaks Way led to an apartment explosion, which critically injured Aviles, Hutson and San Jose-resident Paul Lom.

Police said Lom, 35, was also involved in the dangerous drug activity. He succumbed to his wounds five days later.

Aviles and Hutson had pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder in the death of Lom.

On Tuesday Aviles withdrew that plea and pleaded no contest to the lesser count of involuntary manslaughter, according to the Times. Hutson withdrew her plea to second-degree murder and pleaded no contest to being an accessory, the Times reported.

Further details from the Times report:

In exchange for their plea deals with the Alameda County District Attorney's office, Aviles will receive three years in state prison for involuntary manslaughter. Hutson will receive 5 years of felony probation and serve one year in the county jail for being an accessory. The couple also had charges of manufacturing of a controlled substance dismissed as part of the deal.

View the full article on the Valley Times website.