North Side man set for April sentencing in drug overdose death
A North Side man pleaded no contest this week to a drug delivery resulting in death charge in connection with a fatal overdose two years ago.
Darnell Stephens, 23, is set for sentencing April 26.
The case was the first in which Pittsburgh police charged an alleged dealer in connection with a fatal overdose. The offense can be prosecuted as a third-degree homicide, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison. Such cases can be difficult to build, a Tribune-Review report found.
Stephens is charged in the March 22, 2017, death of Ian Williams, a 23-year-0ld University of Pittsburgh student. Authorities said his death was caused by powerful opioid fentanyl.
Text messages and a payment through online application Venmo linked Stephens to the stamp bags found at Williams’ Cobden Street home, according to investigators.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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