If you are charged with selling drugs, you likely know you may face serious criminal penalties. While you might prepare yourself to fight drug charges, you might not be prepared for a murder charge to suddenly be added on to the drug charges.
But that’s exactly what happened in a recent case from The Woodlands involving two fentanyl deaths. A man is facing two murder charges after two individuals died after taking fentanyl the man allegedly sold them.
New law allows charges for ‘fentanyl murder’
The man is charged under a new Texas law that allows someone to be charged with a “fentanyl murder” if they distribute or supply someone with fentanyl and the person dies from it.
After the first victim was found unresponsive, an investigation into the death was launched. Investigator discovered text messages apparently discussing the drug sale.
The second victim was found approximately one month later. Both victims were 21 years-old and allegedly died due to the fentanyl sold to them by the man.
This new law means that you now have a whole new set of potential consequences to handle if you are charged with a drug crime involving fentanyl. You could now face a murder charge if anyone you sold fentanyl to overdoses and dies.
However, you still have rights that must be protected under the criminal justice system. There are various defenses you can assert against both the drug and murder charges, such as technical defenses based on the exact type of drug involved.
Building a defense to a crime involving fentanyl
If you are charged with a crime involving fentanyl, collecting information and getting the facts straight is extremely important, especially if the facts include a person who died from a fentanyl overdose.
Building a strong defense and thoroughly examining the situation that led to the charges can potentially result in a reduced sentence or even dismissed charges.