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MANKATO, Minn. (AP) A friend of the Minnesota State University student who drank herself to death is no longer a defendant in the resulting wrongful death lawsuit.

Hannah Becker is also an MSU student and one of five friends of Amanda Jax who were originally named by Jax's family in the lawsuit.

Becker's attorney, Mark Solheim, says it was proper for the Jax family to dismiss his client because there's no legal basis for suing a drinking companion.

Amanda Jax celebrated her 21st birthday by drinking with friends until her blood-alcohol level reached 0.46 percent. The official cause of death was alcohol poisoning.

Four friends remain as defendants, as do two bar owners.

A jury trial is scheduled for late July.

Information from: The Free Press, http://www.mankatofreepress.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-13-08 1547CST | save this article / add to your favorites list