Pittsburgh attorney who concealed friend’s overdose death gets house arrest, probation

A Pittsburgh defense attorney who tried to conceal the death of a friend by failing to notify police, then abandoning the body in a Squirrel Hill alley, will spend two years on house arrest followed by three more years on probation, a judge ruled Monday.

Kevin Abramovitz, 38, completed in late April the first portion of his sentence — three months at an in-patient rehabilitation program, his defense attorney, Komron Jon Maknoon told the Tribune-Review. Going to rehab was part of the plea deal that Abramovitz took in late January.

During a sentencing hearing, Abramovitz thanked the court for letting him do so and described the experience as “life-changing.”

“Addiction is an epidemic and it doesn’t discriminate and it’s destroying our communities,” Maknoon said by phone following the hearing. “For years and years, Kevin has put other people before himself to help them, and now, Kevin is focused on helping himself.”

“He has a lot of love and support, and we’re looking forward to his return.”

It’s unclear whether Abramovitz will seek to practice law again in the future. He gave up his license voluntarily amid the proceedings.

Police arrested Abramovitz on the fifth floor of the Allegheny County Courthouse in February 2018 after a grand jury indicted him on 13 charges, including reckless endangerment, witness intimidation and drug violations.

The charges stemmed from the death of Randall Barksdale, 31, a McCandless resident.

On June 24, 2017, Barksdale’s body was found wrapped in a purple comforter in Annette Way, an alley.

His family told the court that Barksdale had been grappling with drug addiction. They requested that in lieu of flowers, mourners donate to the Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry, a North Hills nonprofit that offers licensed therapy to people regardless of income.

“Randy will be missed by all who knew his loving heart, his contagious laugh, and his fighting spirit,” Barksdale’s family wrote in his obituary. “His genuine love for life was evident in all of his endeavors, and he made an undeniable, lasting impact on everyone he encountered.”

Two anonymous callers alerted authorities to Barksdale’s body, saying it was near the intersection of Annette and Fair Oaks Street, a criminal complaint said.

Investigators said the body was not visible from the intersection, and someone would need “intimate knowledge” of the victim’s location to report it.

Barksdale was staying in an apartment owned by Abramovitz. A witness who was with the victim reported calling Abramovitz and his girlfriend, Danielle Smith, the night of June 23 to alert them that the victim had overdosed on opioids.

The witness said CPR had no affect on the man, according to the complaint. The witness repeatedly asked Abramovitz or Smith to call 911, but Abramovitz said he didn’t want police to come to the apartment because they would all “get in trouble,” police wrote.

Abramovitz said he tried to arrange for a driver to take the man to a hospital, but the driver became upset and pushed the body into the alley.

Before police arrived, one witness tried administering Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an overdose, but it didn’t work.

Prosecutors argued that an immediate 911 call could have given Barksdale a chance.

Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey A. Manning ordered Abramovitz to spend two years on house arrest, the first 60 days of which will be restrictive, meaning he can only leave the house for emergencies or reasons such as attending a drug counseling session or support group meeting. The remainder of the time will be house arrest during which he can maintain a daily job.

He will remain on probation through 2024.

In January, Abramovitz pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, obstruction of the law and hindering apprehension. The judge delayed sentencing until after Abramovitz completed his stay in rehab.

Smith, the girlfriend, was charged with the same counts as Abramovitz. Her case still is pending.

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