Bismarck Tribune

By JENNYMICBy JENNYMICHAEL

Mark Streeper sat with his closely shaved head bowed and his shoulders slumped forward as he read a statement prepared for the family and friends of Ashley Berge, a 16-year Mandan girl who died in his bedroom.

"I'd like to stress that no harm was ever intended," Streeper said.

South Central District Judge Bruce Haskell sentenced Streeper on Friday to 10 years in prison for manslaughter for his part in Berge's death.

Haskell also sentenced Streeper to one-year sentences for each of two convictions for delivery of alcohol to minors.

The three sentences will be served consecutively after Streeper completes a two-year term he is currently serving for violation of probation, Haskell said.

Streeper, 27, was convicted of manslaughter in March for the Nov. 29, 2004, death of Berge at his residence.

Berge attended a gathering at Streeper's residence on Nov. 28, where she consumed a lethal quantity of the prescription drugs methadone, alprazolam and oxycodone.

Two witnesses testified during the trial that Streeper - a self-described junkie who had prescriptions for those drugs - injected the drugs into Berge's arm. Streeper said Berge injected herself.

Streeper also was convicted in March on two counts of delivering alcohol to minors for supplying Berge and a friend with beer on the night of the girl's death.

Haskell said Streeper needs to be held responsible for his actions.

"Ashley didn't lose her life, Mr. Streeper," Haskell said. "You took it from her."

Berge's parents did not wish to comment after the sentencing.

Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Feland said Streeper's history of drug abuse and lack of action to stop Berge's death should be considered in the sentencing.

"This is clearly someone who is dangerous,"Feland said. "There need to be consequences imposed, and they need to be severe."

Kent Morrow, Streeper's attorney, said he and his client have nothing but sympathy for Berge's family but felt a lighter sentence should be imposed because Streeper needs treatment for drug addiction.

Streeper has been tutoring other prisoners during his incarceration, Morrow said.

"He decided at least to try to repay society a little bit," Morrow said.

Morrow said Streeper has 30 days from Friday to appeal the convictions.

Haskell said he wished all adolescents in the community could have sat in on the trial to learn about the consequences of drug use.

"People that age don't make good judgments," Haskell told Streeper. "People your age are supposed to."

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)