When can someone be charged in CT with manslaughter in connection with a drug overdose death?

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26-02-2025

Prosecutors in Connecticut can bring charges of manslaughter or murder in association with drug overdose deaths, but it doesn't happen very often.
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.
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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