OVERDOSE
LEADS TO MURDER CHARGE
By Greg Rickabaugh, Staff Writer
Columbia County Augusta Chronicle, GA
October 23, 2001
A Columbia County man was charged with murder Monday after
he injected a powerful prescription drug into the arm of a
friend who later died, authorities said.
James David Mitchell, 21, of Stage Coach Way, Martinez, was
charged with murder and distribution of OxyContin in
connection with the death of 23-year-old Brannen Weiss,
said Investigator Paul Godden of the Richmond County
Sheriff's Office.
Georgia law requires a murder charge when a person is
killed during the commission of a felony, he said. The
felony was distribution of OxyContin.
"The guy is very, very sorry," Investigator Godden said.
"[But] any time you commit a felony and someone dies during
the commission of that felony - whether you mean it to
happen or not - that's felony murder."
Mr. Weiss was using drugs with a girlfriend and Mr.
Mitchell at Rivercreek Apartments on Center West Parkway
early Monday, police said. The victim said he wanted to
experiment with injecting OxyContin rather than snorting
it, Investigator Godden said.
"He had never done that before, but his friend had," he
said. "The victim put the belt around his arm and the
suspect injected it into his veins."
Mr. Weiss said he felt OK afterward but he later collapsed,
police said. His face turned purple and his lips were blue.
Mr. Mitchell called 911 and attempted CPR, but Mr. Weiss
was pronounced dead at University Hospital at 5:25 a.m.,
Investigator Godden said.
Mr. Weiss is from Columbia County, but had been living with
his girlfriend for the past month, Investigator Godden
said. The girlfriend will not be charged, he said.
Authorities say the trio were using a drug that is rapidly
growing in popularity. OxyContin is a pain medication that
is meant for use by chronic pain sufferers but is being
heavily abused and sought by addicts, authorities said.
"Heroin is making a comeback, and OxyContin is the next
thing they go to if they can't get heroin," Investigator
Godden said.
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