Valley methadone overdose death case delayed
Kelsey Leanne Pynch charged with criminal negligence causing death
CBC News
Posted: Nov 26, 2012 1:52 PM AT
Last Updated: Nov 26, 2012 2:45 PM AT
Kelsey Leanne Pynch of Nicholsville is charged with criminal negligence causing death and two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance. (CBC)The case of a 21-year-old woman from the Annapolis Valley charged in the prescription drug death of another Valley woman has been delayed for two months to allow the defence more time to go over her case.
Kelsey Leanne Pynch of Nicholsville is charged with criminal negligence causing death and two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance in relation to the death of Katanna MacDonald, 20.
MacDonald, of Greenwood, died June 21 in the Annapolis Valley after an overdose of methadone stopped her heart. She had been taking methadone to treat her drug addiction.
Don Fraser, Pynch's lawyer, said his client made a brief appearance in Kentville provincial court on Monday.
"We've just received some disclosure. There's more to come," he told CBC News.
"It'll take a while to sort through so the matter has been put over for election and plea on Jan. 21."
Fraser said the next hearing will also take place in Kentville.
Katanna MacDonald, 20, died in June after overdosing on methadone. (Facebook)MacDonald's father told CBC News his daughter's body was so badly damaged that a machine was needed to keep her alive so her family members could say their goodbyes in June.
Since MacDonald's death, Valley MLA Leo Glavine has called for much tighter controls on methadone, which is dispensed from a hospital in Kentville and a clinic in Wolfville.
Methadone is used to treat opiate addicts and works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain to take away cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It is taken orally, usually mixed with juice.
In most cases, the methadone must be taken in front of a witness, but some patients are allowed to carry it away from where it's distributed.
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