Two men waive charges in man’s overdose death in Bullskin Township
Zachary Jon Brooks, 24, is escorted from the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday after waiving his charges in the overdose death of 27-year-old Thomas McGuinness Jr. He is charged with drug delivery resulting in death and possession with intent to deliver.
Robert Lee Brown Jr., 30, is escorted from the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday after waiving his charges in the overdose death of 27-year-old Thomas McGuinness Jr. He is charged with drug delivery resulting in death and possession with intent to deliver.
Two men waived their charges Wednesday for allegedly selling heroin resulting in the death of a man who had just left rehab.
Zachary Jon Brooks, 24, and Robert Lee Brown Jr., 30, both of Connellsville, are facing an additional charge of possession with intent to deliver following their scheduled preliminary hearings at Fayette County Central Court. They are also charged with drug delivery resulting in death.
State police found 27-year-old Thomas 鈥淭ommy鈥� J. McGuinness Jr. dead in his Bullskin Township home on the morning of June 19, along with heroin stamp bags. An investigation determined Brown sold heroin to Brooks, who sold it to McGuinness, according to court documents.
McGuinness鈥� mother told police her son came home from rehab the previous morning and called Brooks a few hours later. Text messages showed the men were discussing drugs. McGuinness called his mom at about 6 p.m. saying he ran out of gas at Merit Manor, which is near Brooks鈥� home, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in Brooks鈥� case.
Brooks reportedly admitted to state police he sold McGuinness three stamp bags of heroin for $40.
Further investigation revealed Brooks contacted Brown on Facebook messenger to purchase the heroin sold to McGuinness, court paperwork said.
Brooks and Brown were initially denied bail in their cases. Magisterial District Judge Jennifer Jeffries set bail at $100,000 straight cash for both men Wednesday, with conditions including electronic monitoring, drug testing and daily reporting if they are released from Fayette County Prison.
McGuinness鈥� parents chose not to hold a public viewing for their son, according to his obituary.
鈥淭ommy蘑菇视频 parents only ask that prayers be offered for their son, for all addicts suffering from this horrific disease, and for all of the families and friends who care for their addicts, as the journey is long and hard,鈥� the obituary said.