Muncie woman convicted in drug deal leading to fatal OD
MUNCIE, Ind. — A Delaware Circuit Court 4 jury on Wednesday found a Muncie resident guilty of dealing heroin to a local woman who then died of an overdose.
Vera Renee Morgan, 33, was charged with dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison.
The jury — which reached a verdict after less than two hours of deliberations — also found Morgan was a habitual offender, a status that could add up to 20 years to the sentence she receives from Judge John Feick on Oct. 19.
Morgan's conviction stemmed from the death — on Oct. 17, 2020 — of a 32-year-old Muncie woman.
The victim's boyfriend told investigators when he picked her up at a drug treatment center in Indianapolis, she had "made her mind up to get dope when she got to Muncie."
She later bought heroin from Morgan, for $40, at a southside convenience store, according to an affidavit.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig and deputy prosecutors Jagen Arnold and Andrew Ramirez presented the state's case against Morgan in this week's trial.
Morgan — who did not take the witness stand — was represented by Kelly Bryan, the county's chief public defender.
According to court records, the Muncie woman had been convicted earlier of crimes including possession of a narcotic drug, fraud, residential entry, theft and driving while intoxicated.
Last week, another Circuit Court 4 jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case of a co-defendant, Michael T. Schoeff, 37, also of Muncie.
Feick declared a mistrial after that jury could not determine whether Schoeff was guilty of aiding, inducing or causing dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death.
He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dealing in a narcotic drug, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison. His sentencing hearing for that conviction is set for Sept. 21.
Craig said the state intended to bring Schoeff to trial for a second time on the more serious charge.
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman noted Wednesday's conviction marked the third time this year his staff had successfully prosecuted a dealing-resulting-in-death case.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie woman convicted in drug deal leading to fatal OD
