North Side man set for April sentencing in drug overdose death

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North Side man set for April sentencing in drug overdose death

Renatta Signorini | Wednesday, March 20, 2019 7:57 a.m.

Darnell Stephens

A North Side man pleaded no contest this week to a drug delivery resulting in death charge in connection with a fatal overdose two years ago.

Darnell Stephens, 23, is set for sentencing April 26.

The case was the first in which Pittsburgh police charged an alleged dealer in connection with a fatal overdose. The offense can be prosecuted as a third-degree homicide, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison. Such cases can be difficult to build, a Tribune-Review report found.

Stephens is charged in the March 22, 2017, death of Ian Williams, a 23-year-0ld University of Pittsburgh student. Authorities said his death was caused by powerful opioid fentanyl.

Text messages and a payment through online application Venmo linked Stephens to the stamp bags found at Williams’ Cobden Street home, according to investigators.

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