Voluntary manslaughter will be more difficult to prove, experts say, because prosecutors must show intent to kill. The maximum sentence for the manslaughter charges is 10 to15 years. Cole is the only defendant to admit slipping GHB into the drinks, but says he spiked the drinks with what he believed was a harmless intoxicant. Cole is also being tried on three felony poisoning counts, each of which carries up to a life sentence. On the poisoning charges, prosecutors only need to prove that Cole intended to harm his victims, not kill them.
Legal experts say the case against the defendant, once again, looks strong.
Limmer has said he was not present most of the night the girls were drugged. The three young men also face two poisoning counts apiece, which can carry life sentences. Ayaz Nanji contributed to this report. GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, is a central nervous system depressant that is abused for its intoxicating effects. Slang terms for GHB include Grievous Bodily Harm, Easy Lay, Gook, Gamma 10, Liquid X, Liquid E, Liquid G, Georgia Home Boy, Soap, Scoop, Salty Water, Somatomax, G-riffick, Cherry Meth, Fantasy, Organic Quaalude, Nature's Quaalude, and Zonked.