When can someone be charged in CT with manslaughter in connection with a drug overdose death?
New London State's Attorney Paul Narducci said there are a number of factors involved in charging a defendant with manslaughter or murder for a drug overdose death.
He said one factor is evidence that establishes whether or not a person knows the narcotics they are distributing contains fentanyl. According to WebMD, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain. It is much stronger than other opioids and is often added to illegal drugs without people knowing, according to WebMD.
'Very rarely do you see charges of murder that accompany a narcotics sale which leads to a death of another person,' Narducci said. 'Because in Connecticut, we have to establish that the person intended to cause the death and actually caused the death of that person.'
According to Narducci, intent is difficult to prove unless a defendant purposefully laced narcotics with fentanyl in an attempt to kill someone.
'We have been charging manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree which bring about a death because it's based on reckless conduct,' Narducci said. 'And with the prevalence of fentanyl and the notoriety of fentanyl and the consequences of fentanyl, I think there's a better chance to establish that a person is acting recklessly when they distribute narcotics that are laced with fentanyl.'
More: Overdose death in Norwich leads to manslaughter charges: What court records say
One person charged with manslaughter in connection to a drug overdose death is Desiree Greene. An investigation by the Norwich Police Department and Connecticut State Police Bureau of Investigations Joint Task Force-East Field Office revealed Greene supplied a man with the lethal dose of narcotics prior to his death.
Greene was subsequently charged with manslaughter in the second degree and the sale of narcotics. Her next court hearing is April 16 in New London Superior Court.
When asked how often manslaughter and murder charges are brought in association with drug overdose deaths, New London State's Attorney Paul Narducci could not give a percentage.
However, according to data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, drug overdose deaths have been on the rise in New London County since 2015. The number of drug overdose deaths in the county rose from 60 in 2015 to 134 in 2021. There were fewer drug overdose deaths in New London County in 2022 (125) and 2023 (80), but that number increased in 2024 to 94.
The number of arrests made for drug/narcotic violations in Connecticut increased from 3,099 in 2022 to 3,184 in 2023, according to the Crime in Connecticut annual reports. The reports define these violations as the unlawful cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, sale, purchase, use, possession, transportation or importation of any controlled substance.
More: What to know about bail in CT: When is it set, and who can be released with promise to appear
As New London State's Attorney, Narducci serves as the chief law enforcement officer in the Judicial District of New London. His office is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal offenses that occur in the Judicial District, which includes the communities of Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Lisbon, Ledyard, Lyme, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Sprague, New London, Montville, Salem, Stonington, Voluntown and Waterford.
Narducci oversees 28 employees in the Judicial District of New London. This figure includes 15 prosecutors, six investigators and seven clerical staff members.
As of the middle of October 2024, there were approximately 8,780 cases pending and about 4,000 pending infractions in the New London Judicial District.
Some of the big cases Narducci said Feb. 19 that his office was prosecuting included four or five pending murder cases, a number of pending sexual assault cases as well as narcotics trafficking cases.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: What to know about manslaughter charges related to opioid overdose deaths
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
14-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
This Common Parenting Habit Puts Kids At Risk
What started as a creative workaround during the lockdown days of COVID-19 has become a feel-good fixture of graduation season: lawn signs adorned with a child's name, photo, school, and graduating class. You may have seen them around your own neighborhood from kindergarten 'moving up' moments to high school and college milestones. But as these signs grow in popularity, some security experts and privacy advocates are raising a red flag. Kaylen Schroeder, a mom to a 5-year-old, said she put up a sign for her son's pre-kindergarten graduation ceremony at her mom's house instead of their own. 'He doesn't actually live there, and there was no photo or name,' said Schroeder. 'We just did not feel safe putting one in our yard because we are not as familiar with our neighbors as I am at my mom's house.' Instead, she opted to celebrate her son at her home by throwing a party and focusing on starting new traditions around these major milestones. 'I did self-defense instructor classes at the University of Florida police department,' said Schroeder. 'One of the topics we went over was car decals. The things that say honor students or the sport they may play gets targeted a lot. We treated those yard signs the same way.' These personal displays, while festive and proud, may unintentionally expose kids to privacy and safety risks — from identity theft to location tracking. Here's what parents should consider before planting one in the yard. Safety Concerns Graduation yard signs have become a beloved way for families to celebrate their children's milestones, but these signs can often include: a photo, age, school, and even the college the student is planning to attend. These are all pieces of information that can be useful to scammers, identity thieves, or even strangers with bad intentions. 'Everyone has to consider the risks in their own local environment,' Dr. Neha Pathak, WebMD Chief Physician Editor, health and lifestyle medicine. 'Along with names and grades on yard signs, people should be equally thoughtful about what they post on social media about their children. Particularly at the beginning and end of the school year.' She adds that there are a few other safety concerns that include: Location Disclosure By placing a sign in your front yard, you're essentially broadcasting that your child lives at a specific address. That can open up risks ranging from doxxing to unwanted attention, especially if the sign includes a photo of the child or a school name that pinpoints their daily routine. Long-Term Digital Footprint Photos of these signs often get posted online by proud parents. Once shared on social media — especially without privacy settings — they can be scraped or misused, adding to a child's digital footprint without their consent. Patterns And Predictability For families with more than one child, yard signs over the years can unintentionally reveal family patterns — like ages, school tracks, or even when a house might be empty during college drop-offs or vacation. 'It's important to have a conversation with your children about how much of their information may be out in the world so they should be particularly mindful of strangers that might know their name or what school they go to,' said Pathak. If you're concerned about privacy but still want to celebrate your child's graduation in a meaningful way, here are some safer alternatives to traditional yard signs: Decorate Inside Your Home Or Front Door Create a festive display on your front door, porch, or windows—balloons, streamers, or a sign which avoids sharing personal info while still showing your pride. Use A First Name Only (Or A Nickname) If you do want a yard sign, consider using just your child's first name or nickname, and skip the school name, photo, or future plans. 'For example, a sign that says, 'congratulations graduate!' can still be celebratory without sharing details about the grade, age, gender, name of your child,' said Pathak. Parades also became popular during the COVID-19 lockdowns, so opt to decorate your car and drive by friends' homes or attend a school-organized graduation parade. These celebrations are fun, mobile, and less likely to leave long-term digital traces. Custom Apparel Or Yard Flags T-shirts, banners, or reusable yard flags with more general messages can be a safer way to show your excitement without giving away your child's identity. 'I have yard signs up in my own yard with school names, but I do not post my children's names in yard signs or on social media,' said Pathak. Host A Small, Private Gathering Invite family or close friends for a graduation brunch, backyard party, or virtual toast. Celebrating in a more personal setting can be just as meaningful — and much more secure. These alternatives let you cheer on your graduate without putting their personal information on public display. 'Community is an important thing and we often want to share these milestones in our communities,' Pathak said. 'Every parent has to make their own risk assessment. But beyond whether or not to put up a yard sign, I think it's an important launching pad to have a conversation with your children about how much information about them might be out in the world: A stranger is still a stranger, even if they seem to know your name and where you go to school.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Guatemalan man accused of sexually abusing toddler in Norwich
CITY OF NORWICH, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Guatemalan man accused of sexually abusing a toddler in the City of Norwich was taken into custody on Thursday. Following a two-month investigation into allegations of child abuse and sexual abuse, the Norwich Police Department arrested 33-year-old Rolando Antonio at a Norwich residence. Antonio was charged with Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony, and Forcible Touching, a Class A Misdemeanor. According to the investigation, Antonio allegedly sexually abused a 3-year-old child in April. Chief Reuben Roach says these cases require the involvement of multiple agencies, including the local Child Advocacy Center, the New York State Police Crime Lab for DNA analysis, and interpreters from the New York State Police. 'My heart goes out to the victim and their family. I hope this arrest provides some measure of justice for them,' said Roach. Rolando was arraigned in Norwich City Court. He is being held on $20,000 bail, with a court appearance scheduled for a later date. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are expected. The Rooftop by Chef Jay Pisculli now open for the summer months 'Path Though History' explores beauty of Broome County NYSPHSAA Softball Championships to be held this weekend in Broome County Animal Adventure Presents Annual 'Drafts with Giraffes' Guatemalan man accused of sexually abusing toddler in Norwich Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
This Annual Humblebrag Is Actually Putting Your Kid's Security At Risk
What started as a creative workaround during the lockdown days of COVID-19 has become a feel-good fixture of graduation season: lawn signs adorned with a child's name, photo, school and graduating class. You may have seen them around your own neighborhood from kindergarten 'moving up' moments to high school and college milestones. But as these signs grow in popularity, some security experts and privacy advocates are raising a red flag. Kaylen Schroeder, a mom to a 5-year-old, said she put up a sign for her son's pre-kindergarten graduation ceremony at her mom's house instead of their own. 'He doesn't actually live there and there was no photo or name,' said Schroeder. 'We just did not feel safe putting one in our yard because we are not as familiar with our neighbors as I am at my mom's house.' Instead she opted to celebrate her son at her home by throwing a party and focusing on starting new traditions around these major milestones. 'I did self-defense instructor classes at the University of Florida police department,' said Schroeder. 'One of the topics we went over was car decals. The things that say honor students or the sport they may play gets targeted a lot. We treated those yard signs the same way.' These personal displays, while festive and proud, may unintentionally expose kids to privacy and safety risks — from identity theft to location tracking. Here's what parents should consider before planting one in the yard. Graduation yard signs have become a beloved way for families to celebrate their children's milestones, but these signs can often include: a photo, age, school, and even the college the student is planning to attend. These are all pieces of information that can be useful to scammers, identity thieves, or even strangers with bad intentions. 'Everyone has to consider the risks in their own local environment,' Dr. Neha Pathak, WebMD Chief Physician Editor, health and lifestyle medicine. 'Along with names and grades on yard signs, people should be equally thoughtful about what they post on social media about their children. Particularly at the beginning and end of the school year.' She adds that there are a few other safety concerns that include: By placing a sign in your front yard, you're essentially broadcasting that your child lives at a specific address. That can open up risks ranging from doxxing to unwanted attention, especially if the sign includes a photo of the child or a school name that pinpoints their daily routine. Photos of these signs often get posted online by proud parents. Once shared on social media — especially without privacy settings — they can be scraped or misused, adding to a child's digital footprint without their consent. For families with more than one child, yard signs over the years can unintentionally reveal family patterns — like ages, school tracks, or even when a house might be empty during college drop-offs or vacation. 'It's important to have a conversation with your children about how much of their information may be out in the world so they should be particularly mindful of strangers that might know their name or what school they go to,' said Pathak. If you're concerned about privacy but still want to celebrate your child's graduation in a meaningful way, here are some safer alternatives to traditional yard signs: Create a festive display on your front door, porch, or windows—balloons, streamers, or a sign which avoids sharing personal info while still showing your pride. If you do want a yard sign, consider using just your child's first name or nickname, and skip the school name, photo, or future plans. 'For example, a sign that says, 'congratulations graduate!' can still be celebratory without sharing details about the grade, age, gender, name of your child,' said Pathak. Parades also became popular during the COVID-19 lockdowns, so opt to decorate your car and drive by friends' homes or attend a school-organized graduation parade. These celebrations are fun, mobile, and less likely to leave long-term digital traces. T-shirts, banners, or reusable yard flags with more general messages can be a safer way to show your excitement without giving away your child's identity. 'I have yard signs up in my own yard with school names, but I do not post my children's names in yard signs or on social media,' said Pathak. Invite family or close friends for a graduation brunch, backyard party, or virtual toast. Celebrating in a more personal setting can be just as meaningful — and much more secure. These alternatives let you cheer on your graduate without putting their personal information on public display. 'Community is an important thing and we often want to share these milestones in our communities,' Pathak said. 'Every parent has to make their own risk assessment. But beyond whether or not to put up a yard sign, I think it's an important launching pad to have a conversation with your children about how much information about them might be out in the world: A stranger is still a stranger, even if they seem to know your name and where you go to school.' Can You Even Stop Your Partner From Putting Your Kid In The Public Eye? Divorce Lawyers Have Thoughts The 6 Biggest Mistakes You're Making On Public Wi-Fi, According To Cybersecurity Experts The 3 Steps To Take When Dealing With Other People's Annoying Kids, According To A School Psychologist
