Jeremiah Sullivan, of Gloucester, has been indicted by an Essex County Grand Jury on Massachusetts Murder Charges in connection with the overdose of Michael Rogers. He has been indicted on the Murder Charge of Involuntary Manslaughter; Distribution of a Class A Substance, Heroin; Operating Under the Influence of Drugs; Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle; and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
According to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Jeremiah Sullivan allegedly distributed heroin to Michael Rogers, who consumed the drugs which resulted in his death by overdose.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office is proceeding its prosecution against Jeremiah Sullivan under a theory that his providing drugs that resulted in a death by overdose is manslaughter.
In Massachusetts, Involuntary Manslaughter is the unintentionally killing of another caused by wanton or reckless conduct that creates a high degree of likelihood that substantial harm will result to another. In order to prove the crime of Involuntary Manslaughter, prosecutors would need to prove that:
- The defendant committed an unintentional killing, i.e., that the defendant intended the conduct that caused the death of another;
- That the killing was caused by wanton or reckless conduct; and
- The wanton or reckless conduct caused the death of that person.
The potential penalty that may be imposed upon a conviction for the crime of Involuntary Manslaughter is up to 20 years in state prison.
Boston Criminal Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis has experience in defending persons charges with Crimes of Violence in Massachusetts, and is available 24/7 for consultation on crimes involving Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter and Involuntary Manslaughter.
To schedule a Free Consultation, Click Here to Contact a Boston Murder Lawyer or call 617-325-9500.