Latest news with #PaulNarducci
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
When can someone be charged in CT with manslaughter in connection with a drug overdose death?
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. 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
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
How bail is set in Connecticut: What factors are considered and who sets the bail
You've heard the phrase: "Bail is set at X dollars." What does that mean and who sets it? The Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division pretrial staff use specific factors to decide what type and how much bail should be posted. These factors are called weighted release criteria and are required by State Statutes. Per CT Statutes, the weighted release criteria are the nature and circumstances of the offense, the defendant's record of previous convictions (if any), the defendant's past record of appearance in court after being admitted to bail (if any), the defendant's family ties, the defendant's employment record, the defendant's financial resources, the defendant's character and mental condition as well as the defendant's community ties. New London State's Attorney Paul Narducci said if a person is arrested on a warrant, their bail amount will be set on the warrant, usually by the judge. "The judge can choose not to set bond or bail at that particular point in time and then leave it up to the discretion of the police and the police set bail until the person appears before court for the first time and then that issue is revisited," Narducci said. "Or, if it's an arrest by warrant, the judge can set bail on the warrant itself." If someone is arrested at the scene of the crime, Narducci said the police will set bail as well as the conditions of release. The conditions of release can be anything from a written promise to appear in court or their bail amount. If a person who was arrested on site cannot make bail, then the bail amount can be lowered by a bail commissioner. The defendant then appears in court and the issue of bail is addressed by the court. In court, the bail commissioner makes a recommendation regarding the defendant's bond amount. At that time, both the State's Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office let the costs for their services be known and the judge sets the conditions of release. "Sometimes that is just a promise to appear," Narducci said regarding the conditions of release. "Other times, it's a financial amount." Narducci said defendants can be released on their own recognizance for misdemeanor crimes. Exceptions include family violence cases and instances in which a defendant has expressed their intent not to return to court. A defendant is subject to additional penalties if they commit a crime while out on bail. The penalties depend on the nature of the crime. "If it's a narcotic trafficking crime vs. a possession crime, that would be a factor that the court will probably take into consideration," Narducci said. "If the judge put a condition that the person refrain from any drugs, not only would he be committing a crime, but he'd also be violating the conditions of release and that might factor in." Narducci noted that many people do not know the difference between bail and bond. 'There may be a difference without a distinction or a distinction without a difference,' Narducci said. 'They are treated pretty much interchangeably.' According to the Judicial Branch website, bail is the amount of money defendants must post to be released from custody while awaiting trial. The Judicial Branch states that the amount is set by police, pretrial services staff or judges to make sure that a person goes to court or returns to court if they are released after they have been arrested. A bond is posted on behalf of a defendant by a bail bond company if a defendant cannot pay the bail in its entirety, according to the Judicial Branch website. Narducci said that common terms and conditions for bonds are anything reasonably related to the underlying alleged offense. "For example, if it's a domestic violence type of matter, there could be a condition that you not threaten, harass or assault the particular victim," Narducci said. "There may be a condition that you stay away from the victim's residence or place of work." This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: How bail is set in Connecticut - a look at the judicial process
