A federal jury has convicted a Clay County man of illegally distributing prescription drugs that resulted in the death of a user. And while the verdict is not unusual, the case does mark a first for the eastern District of Kentucky.
U.S. Attorney Kerry Harvey says the prosecution was able to successfully argue its side without an autopsy report being used as evidence. But, Harvey cautions, the outcome doesn’t mean first responders should treat overdose cases any differently.
"We encourage them when they are at the scene of an overdose death, that scene needs to be treated as a crime scene. Law enforcement needs to be involved. Physical evidence needs to be gathered. Witnesses need to be interviewed and there needs to be an autopsy done of the victim. That's the ideal circumstance," he says.
Terry Smith was found guilty on Monday of distributing a controlled substance resulting in the death of Patty Smallwood.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 15.
Copyright 2015 WUKY
