Lansing, MI – The Michigan Senate approved legislation to allow a prosecutor to bring charges in the drug-overdose death of a resident in the county, even if the illegal drugs were purchased in another county.
The Bills would broaden the potential for prosecution of delivery of a controlled substance causing death to three possible venues: the county where the drugs were delivered, the county where the drugs were consumed, and the county where the victim died from using the drugs.
State Senator Dale Zorn’s bills are the result of a 2016 case involving the heroin-overdose death of a man in Monroe County. The fentanyl dealer was charged in Monroe County with one count of delivery of fentanyl causing death.
However, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the Monroe Circuit Court lacked jurisdiction because the drugs were obtained in Wayne County.
The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Tune into our local and state newscasts, anytime day or night, for this story and more.
#wlenradio #wlennews #lenaweenews