Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Northwest farmers look for new export market in Cuba ... Now that's a fan ... At least 31 dead in bombings of Brussels airport, metro ... Northwest farmers look for new export market in Cuba ... Now that's a fan ... At least 31 dead in bombings of Brussels airport, metro ... Grand jury indicts Medford suspect in fatal helium case Richard Mowery faces criminally negligent homicide charge in death of teenager A Jackson County grand jury has indicted a 32-year-old Medford man on a criminally negligent homicide charge in the death of an Eagle Point teen who suffered an embolism after inhaling helium at a party in February. Comment By chris conrad MailTribune.com By chris conrad Posted May. 24, 2012 at 12:15 AM Updated May 24, 2012 at 3:15 AM By chris conrad Posted May. 24, 2012 at 12:15 AM Updated May 24, 2012 at 3:15 AM » RELATED CONTENT • 2 sentenced in helium death • Judge gives jail sentences to pair tied to helium-related death... • Helium party hostess charged with trial witness tampering » Social News A Jackson County grand jury has indicted a 32-year-old Medford man on a criminally negligent homicide charge in the death of an Eagle Point teen who suffered an embolism after inhaling helium at a party in February. Richard Ward Mowery was arrested on a warrant at his home on Andrew Drive in Medford on Tuesday. In addition, Katherine Diane McAloon, 27, was indicted on charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment, seven counts of delivery of marijuana to a minor and seven counts of furnishing alcohol to a person younger than 21. Police allege that Eagle Point Middle School eighth-grader Ashley Long was drinking alcohol at McAloon's apartment in the 3100 block of Alameda Street, Medford, in February when she inhaled helium from a compressed gas canister and collapsed, police said. Several other teenagers ages 13 to 16 were with Ashley at the party. McAloon is the older sister of one of the teens at the house that night. Mowery also was at the party and was questioned by police following the 14-year-old's death. Medford police Sgt. Josh Reimer said the helium tank was already at the home when Mowery arrived. The homicide charge against Mowery stems from his part in encouraging the teens to inhale from the tank. "We believe he showed them how to inhale the helium from the tank," Reimer said. The case was presented before a grand jury on May 17. An autopsy showed Ashley died from an air embolism caused by the inhalation of helium from a pressurized canister, police said. An air embolism occurs when air bubbles enter an artery or vein and cause a fatal blockage. Deputy State Medical Examiner Dr. James Olson ruled the death was accidental. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inhaling helium can cause dizziness and headaches. It also can cause suffocation by lowering the oxygen content in the lungs. Inhaling high concentrations of compressed helium can cut off oxygen to the brain, leading to unconsciousness or death. Police have said that the teens weren't inhaling the gas to get high, but to alter the pitch of their voices. Mowery was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on $50,000 bail. McAloon was arrested shortly after the incident and is no longer in jail. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 541-776-4471; or email [email protected]. By chris conrad MailTribune.com By chris conrad Posted May. 24, 2012 at 12:15 AM Updated May 24, 2012 at 3:15 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501