Pierce County jurors convict caregiver of murder man’s death

Published 10:03 am Thursday, June 16, 2016

TACOMA — A Pierce County jury has found a 51-year-old Spanaway caregiver guilty of second-degree murder in the death of a man in his care.

The prosecutor’s office says the jury on Wednesday also found Larry Lee guilty of manslaughter in death of 59-year-old Philip Carter, who had a mild mental impairment that required daily help.

Prosecutors say Carter was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup in May 2015 with several large, deep bed sores. He suffered a serious infection and died within hours.

Prosecutors alleged that Lee, who received $850 a month to take care of Carter, failed to treat the sores or seek medical treatment that resulted in the man’s death.

The office says it is the first time a caregiver had been tried for murder since its elder abuse unit was formed in 2012.

Lee is to be sentenced June 30.