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
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.