Man gets 39-month term in fatal explosives incident

A man who brought a bomb to a party that later exploded and killed a 28-year-old man was sentenced Friday to about three years in prison.

Christapher A. Harris, 21, is to serve 39 months for second-degree manslaughter and possession of an explosive device, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza said.

A jury in September voted 9-3 to acquit Harris of first-degree manslaughter for the Nov. 6, 2010, explosion that killed Cody R. Hathaway, 28, outside a family costume party.

Another jury convicted him of the lesser charge last month. 

Hathaway died after the bomb exploded and sent a piece of shrapnel into his neck.

The bomb was one of several Harris brought to the party at the invitation of co-defendant James J. Crouchman, who lit one of the devices.

Crouchman, 36, was sentenced to 10 months in jail last month for unlawful possession of explosives and reckless endangerment.