Pubdate: Sun, 13 Oct 2019
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2019 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: J.D. Capelouto

CHARGING DEALERS IN OD'S FEASIBLE

There may be some hurdles, but there is legal standing for the murder 
prosecution of a DeKalb County man who allegedly sold drugs to a 
22-year-old who later fatally overdosed, local experts said.

The case against Antoin Thornton, 28, is believed to be the first of
its kind for DeKalb. Thornton allegedly sold heroin to Alexander
Whitehead, who was found dead at a Dunwoody apartment complex in
March. Police said the drugs, laced with the potent opioid fentanyl,
caused the overdose.

The unique nature of the case - an alleged street-level dealer accused of 
murder in the death of someone who later overdosed - could send a powerful 
message about the type of charges prosecutors can bring forward as a way 
of combating the deadly opioid crisis, according to practicing legal experts.
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