Jury seated in woman’s overdose death
NORRISTOWN » A former Pottstown man showed no emotion as a prosecutor labeled him a drug dealer who delivered a fatal dose of fentanyl to a Pottstown woman who believed she was receiving heroin.
Harold Robert Burton, 38, formerly of the 400 block of Spruce Street, faces charges of drug delivery resulting in death, recklessly endangering another person, criminal use of a communication facility
and possession with intent to deliver fentanyl in connection with the January 2016 overdose death of Renee Winslow of Pottstown.
“While Renee didn’t know what she was getting was fentanyl, the defendant did know,” Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Lloyd argued as Burton’s trial got under way on Wednesday.
Authorities said fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is commonly used and mixed with street-sold heroin because it amplifies the potency of the heroin. Prosecutors have said fentanyl is 40 to 50 times more deadly than streetlevel heroin.
Lloyd argued a text message reading “Are you ok?” that Burton allegedly sent to Winslow after delivering the fentanyl is evidence that he was Winslow’s drug supplier. Additionally, Lloyd argued, prosecutors obtained video surveillance footage showing Burton entering Winslow’s apartment for a short period of time just hours before she was discovered dead from the overdose.
But defense lawyer Carrie L. Allman argued prosecutors do not have sufficient evidence to prove Burton delivered the drugs to Winslow.
“I don’t know where Renee Winslow’s drugs came from that night. But that fentanyl was not provided by Harold Burton,” Allman argued to jurors during her opening statement.
Allman downplayed the significance of the text message and video surveillance that Lloyd mentioned to the jury of seven men and five women.
“Messages and words are not actions. A visit to somebody that is repeatedly texting you isn’t a drug deal,” Allman argued.
The trial before Judge Steven T. O’Neill is expected to last several days.
Burton, whose most recent address was along West Ellet Street in Philadelphia, will remain in the county jail without bail during the trial. Allman didn’t reveal if Burton, who also once resided in the 100 block of North Adams Street in Pottstown, will testify during the trial.
A conviction of drug delivery resulting in death carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison.
An investigation began about 5:52 a.m. Jan. 29, 2016, when Pottstown police responded to a report of an unresponsive person at an apartment in the 500 block of High Street. Arriving officers found a deceased female, who subsequently was identified as Winslow.
Investigators suspected Winslow died as a result of a heroin overdose after they observed and recovered from the floor, in close proximity to Winslow’s body, three purported bags of heroin, and a needle recovered from atop a dresser, according to the criminal complaint filed by county detectives.
An autopsy determined Winslow died from an adverse effect of fentanyl. Prosecutors alleged lab tests on the three bags found in Winslow’s apartment revealed all the bags contained fentanyl.
Detectives obtained the victim’s cellphone records and uncovered alleged “drug-related text message” conversations with Burton, who prosecutors alleged was Winslow’s heroin supplier. Detectives determined Winslow, on Jan. 28, agreed to purchase four bags of purported heroin and that her supplier agreed to deliver the drugs to her at her residence, according to the criminal complaint.
Investigators alleged a review of cellphone and cell tower records indicated Burton was in the vicinity of Winslow’s residence at or around the time of the alleged drug sale.
Video surveillance footage obtained from the vicinity of Winslow’s apartment showed Burton in and around the residence at about 10:46 p.m. Jan. 28, according to the arrest affidavit. Specifically, detectives alleged, Burton was observed entering Winslow’s apartment, remaining inside for a short period of time and then departing.
Winslow’s body was discovered by a friend about 5:48 a.m. Jan. 29.
Detectives alleged a review of video surveillance footage showed that between the time Burton left Winslow’s apartment and the time Winslow’s friend arrived to find her dead, no one else had entered or exited the apartment.
“While Renee didn’t know what she was getting was fentanyl, the defendant did know.”
— Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Lloyd
“I don’t know where Renee Winslow’s drugs came from that night. But that fentanyl was not provided by Harold Burton.”
— defense lawyer Carrie L. Allman