Manslaughter charge doesn't hold up in court for North Bay-area woman
A North Bay-area woman who was facing a manslaughter charge in connection with an overdose death has instead pled guilty to trafficking.
Stephanie Slack, 36, admitted to selling the victim fentanyl before she died, but her lawyer said there was no evidence that the fentanyl caused the victim to die.
Slack was sentenced for trafficking and given a sentence of two years less a day, to be served in the community. She can only leave her residence to go to work, doctor’s appointments, attend places of worship or receive counselling.
She was also placed on probation for two years.
She admitted to selling the fentanyl to the victim, but said she sold a small amount for no profit because she thought it “would help her” because the victim was suffering from withdrawal.
Slack also took the drugs from her own supply.
The victim died at work at a hair salon in August 2018. Slack’s lawyer, Graham Clark, said the drugs his client sold the victim weren’t related to her death.
“She is not being sentenced for manslaughter,” Clark said.
“She shared a substance in the context of two people who were both dependent on a substance experiencing significant discomfort from very serious withdrawal and Ms. Slack was not a drug dealer. She was not trafficking commercially.”
Graham said his client’s long-term prospects for recovery are positive right now.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
“I believe it's a situation where Ms. Slack has done everything possible to recover,” he said.
“She is employed, her addiction has not been active for quite some time and my suggestion to the court was that there's no benefit to the community incarcerating her and taking the fruits of all of her labours to overcome the addiction.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.