New Kensington man acquitted of charges in 2018 overdose death

A New Kensington man accused of selling a dose of fentanyl-laced heroin to a Natrona man who died of an overdose two years ago was acquitted Friday.

A Westmoreland County jury deliberated more than three hours before it found Adrian Morris, 23, not guilty of drug delivery resulting in death and three other related offenses following a three-day trial.

Prosecutors said drugs used by John Charlton Jr., 42, just before his fatal overdose on June 20, 2018, in a New Kensington Taco Bell parking lot were originally sold by Morris.

Morris’ lawyers claimed he was not involved but was blamed by Charlton’s friends, who were attempting to cover up their own complicity.

“We are very pleased with the verdict,” said defense attorney Brian Aston. “There was nothing that linked my client to the delivery of a controlled substance.”

The defense argued that it was Charlton’s friends who purchased the fatal dose of drugs and that prosecutors presented no evidence to corroborate claims that Morris was the initial supplier of the tainted heroin.

Prosecutors alleged Morris sold 22 stamp bags of heroin for $120 to one of Charlton’s friends, who then passed the drugs to three other men.

Keith Klingensmith, 44, formerly of Oklahoma Borough, testified he and another man met Morris, walked with him into an alley and purchased drugs.

Klingensmith, who is awaiting trial in connection with Charlton’s overdose, told jurors he watched his friend use the drugs and lose consciousness. He said he and another friend put Charlton on the front seat of his parked pickup truck and left to avoid being arrested.

Assistant District Attorney Pete Caravello said the evidence was clear that Morris was the initial supplier of the drugs that killed Charlton.

“He was the one who profited off his death,” Caravello said.