YUBA CITY -- Tomio A.  Izumi, 19, was sentenced Thursday in a Sutter County courtroom to 360 days in jail for drug offenses relating to the Ecstasy overdose death of Nicole A.  Crowder, 17, last year.  In an emotional statement, Izumi admitted being indirectly responsible for Crowder's death because he hosted the party where she is thought to have obtained the drugs that killed her. 

Somber relatives looked on as Izumi broke into tears, expressing his "regret, sorrow and remorse" for the tragic effect his conduct had on Crowder, her family and friends. 

Izumi told Superior Court Judge Robert Damron that he had given the events at the April 26, 2002, barbecue a lot of thought and realized he had made serious errors of judgment. 

People think such things can't happen to them, "but it can happen to all of us," Izumi told Damron. 

"No one is perfect in life," he said.  All one can hope for is "to be given a chance to make amends," he added. 

Crowder died April 27 after ingesting the Ecstasy at a party Izumi hosted while his parents were away. 

He was accused of hindering calls for medical help to protect himself and his friends from trouble. 

Izumi was not charged with providing the drug that caused Crowder's death, but he entered a no-contest plea in January to drug offenses, including maintaining a house where drugs were dispensed. 

Deputy District Attorney Susan E.  Green and Damron both said they were moved by the sincerity of Izumi's final statement. 

"It's the first time I've seen him show remorse," Green said. 

Crowder's mother, Kathy Ford, asked that Izumi be sent to jail immediately to prevent him from completing the semester at California State University, Chico, where he is studying engineering. 

Damron declined, saying that in approving the negotiated plea, "the court had promised not to do that."

Izumi was given a stay of sentence that allows him to surrender to authorities June 2. 

Damron considered Ford's other request that Izumi be ordered to speak to community groups about the dangers of drugs, saying he would allow it if Izumi so chooses because such talks are useful only when done sincerely. 

Izumi's courtroom statement had persuaded the judge that he might be "an effective presenter" after all. 

Izumi also was ordered to pay $3,400 restitution and put on five years probation. 

Defense attorney Dennis Hoptowit later confirmed that "if subpoenaed by appropriate parties, ( Izumi ) would testify" in three pending trials in which partygoers are accused of perjuring themselves before the grand jury investigating Crowder's death.