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"Plea deal sought in teen's death"

Source: Pottsville Republican/Evening Herald Newspaper
By: Frank Andruscavage


The case of an 18-year-old Pottsville woman accused of supplying the drugs that killed one of her friends Oct. 13 has been continued "pending negotiations with the district attorney's office," according to court papers.

Amber L. Blickley, 703 N. Centre St., arrested by Pottsville police four days after Nicole E. Tassone, 17, was found dead by her mother in her 208 S. Second St. home, has also switched representation from the public defender's office to a private attorney.

Blickley was charged with possession and delivery of controlled substance, a felony under the Act 64, the Drug Device and Cosmetic Act, said Police Chief Dale L. Repp.

Court papers show Judge John E. Domalakes granted the continuance after a hearing Friday.

District Attorney Claude A.L. Shields said although his office, through one of his assistants, Leo Breznik, is handling the case, he is not familiar with the details of why Blickley's neww attorney - she dropped Assistant Public Defender Blair P. Warner for Frederick J. Fanelli, a private attorney - requested the delay.

Shields, however, said the matter would come before the court during its September term.

Fanelli said Tuesday he could not discuss the continuance or why it was requested.

"Simply I have to say I have no comment," he said.

Tassone's mother, Carol A., wanted to attend Friday's hearing but was told the sission was limited to those involved and their attorneys.

Knowing Blickley's trial was postponed until September doesn't bother the Pottsville woman, who said she would use the three months to continue to look into how the case was handled and if there is anything she can do to see justice is served.

Tassone said state law requires a minimum five-year prison sentence for anyone who supplies drugs that result in the death of a minor.

"This delay gives me more time to dig up anything I can," she said. "My Nikki can't talk for herself so I'm going to make sure she's heard."

Blickley was originally to enter into a plea agreement that included a sentence of 22 months probation, but Tassone said she and other family members argued that the agreement was too lenient, forcing the case to trial.

"They wanted to trade 22 months for the life of a minor, I don't call that justice," she said. "There are laws out there that have to be enforced."

An autopsy conducted on Tassone by county forensic pathologist Dr. Richard P. Bindie revealed the two drugs in teen's system, as well as third drug, Alprazolam.

Methadone and oxycodone are synthetic opium drugs, Repp said shortly after Blickley's arrest. methadone, he noted, is primarily used as a rehabilitation drug by those addicted to heroin.

In connection with the case, police filed charges against Robert C. Davis including one count of corruption of minors and three counts of furnishing alcohol to minors. The corruption of minors charge Repp said, was filed directly due to the "events leading to the death of Tassone."



Site Map
Article:
Teen Girl Charged In Death By Drugs		 Article:
Methadone Claims First Victim Here
Article:
Police: Methadone Prescribed Legally, Stolen From Medicine Cabinet		 Article:
Nikki's Mother Tells Of That Fatal Night
Article:
Plea Deal Sought In Teen's Death		 Article:
Search For Justice An Individual Quest
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What is Methadone?		 Community Youth Center
In Memory Of: Nicole E. Tassone
Lights In The Darkness
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