MORGANTOWN — Sentencing for Brittany Hager, convicted of delivering drugs that led to the death of a user, was delayed Monday.
Monongalia County Circuit Judge Russell Clawges postponed the sentencing after Hager’s court appointed attorney claimed he was not aware he had been assigned to the case and had just met Hager moments prior to the hearing.
Attorney Rob Livengood said he didn’t receive notice of appointment, which the court claimed was dispatched on June 27.
“What I don’t understand is why you didn’t get the order that went out almost a month ago. That makes no sense at all,” Clawges said.
State code allows prosecutors to target drug providers whose drugs lead to a “proximate” cause of death.
Police say in February 2017 Hager gave heroin/fentanyl to an individual who died after taking it.
Punishment for drug delivery resulting in death calls for three to 15 years in prison, the same as voluntary manslaughter.