By Marie Taylor
According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office press release dated August 18, 2023, a 61-year-old Tampa woman has been charged with First Degree Murder resulting from distribution of an unlawful controlled substance. The article explains that a witness discovered a dead body of an adult male in a motel room surrounded by what appeared to be illegal substances. Medical examiners later represented that the death was the result of an overdose of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Any indictment for First Degree Murder based on unlawful distribution of controlled substances can expose a Defendant to capital punishment or life in prison without parole.
Here, the prosecution claims it can prove that the woman, who has since been booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on a $200,000 bond, is responsible for providing the illegal controlled substances to the victim that directly resulted in his death.
This charging decision is the latest in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office self-reported hunt to punish “menaces” responsible for spreading “poison” in the community. Fentanyl overdoses and abuse of other substances have plagued Florida and other states in recent years. The legislature and virtually every county in Florida has responded by imposing stringent charging decisions and harsh penalties for dealers and users alike. Often drug users in need of substance abuse treatment or community resources. Instead, individuals are accused as dealers or can be defending serious allegations such as murder.
Accusations like Murder resulting from distribution of controlled substance present complex legal problems that should be addressed by an experienced criminal defense attorney. Many Florida residents do not realize that capital murder is an available offense for the prosecution to pursue in this scenario. An experienced attorney can assist or can intervene during the investigation stage with the goal of avoiding indictment or a capital offense. If the crime is already charged, our attorneys will often hire a defense expert to independently review evidence of the illegal substance and to provide an opinion as to issues of causation.
If you or a loved one needs the assistance of one of our Criminal Defense Attorneys, don’t hesitate to call us at 352-WIN-4YOU We are available 24/7 and we offer payment plans.