An Alpharetta man accused of injecting a friend with the heroin that killed her in March 2014 has pleaded guilty and will serve 12 years in prison, Channel 2 Action News’ Mike Petchenik is reporting.
Cory Ben-Hanania pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter/reckless conduct and distribution of heroin, Petchenik reported.
Chelsea Bennett, 20, of Johns Creek overdosed almost immediately on extra-pure heroin and died during a late night of partying, police said. Hanania and another man, Sebastian Andrade, waited 10 hours for her to wake up.
Ben-Hanania could have faced life in prison if convicted of felony murder, Petchenik reported.
In July, a Fulton County grand jury returned murder indictments against Ben-Hanania and the man accused of selling the heroin, Kevin McCaffrey.
Authorities said they pursued the rare murder charge in a drug overdose case to send a message to the public.
McCaffrey also took a plea deal and is serving a four-year prison sentence, Channel 2 reported. Andrade was charged with concealing a body and took a plea deal as well.
Ben-Hanania’s attorney said he still denies injecting Bennett with heroin, according to Petchenik who said Ben-Hanania told Bennett’s family,”I’m sorry,” before he was sentenced.
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