Ditto Much
TRIBE Member
Trafficking In Tragedy
A youthful experiment with the designer drug Ecstasy turned to heart wrenching agony when 17-year-old Nicole Malik died from the unpredictable effects of the chemical cocktail in December 2001.
On Tuesday, the man who sold her the pills was held responsible for her untimely demise. Thirty-year-old Johnrex Bernandino was sentenced to two years less a day after being found guilty of trafficking and criminal negligence causing death.
At the time of the incident, Bernandino was managing the Alpha Lounge Internet Café on Bloor St. W. Malik came into the establishment searching the euphoric effects the drug was supposed to induce.
A short time later, the drug began to take hold, but there was nothing ecstatic about the experience. Nicole fell ill, eventually falling backwards and hitting her head. When she began to vomit and have seizures, other patrons of the establishment suggested getting help.
But Berdandino, who didn’t want his drug-trafficking to be unveiled by authorities, refused to call for help, precipitating the young girl’s death.
Family are still outraged by the incident, and don’t think two years was an appropriate punishment. “I was not happy with the sentence,” said Nicole’s brother James. “He wasn't given enough time. The whole family's upset about it. It wasn't something that we were quite expecting.”
Crown Attorney Calvin Barry believes the case sends a clear message to drug peddlers.
“If you're trafficking in this type of drug, ecstasy or any kind of drug like heroin, cocaine, and you cause someone's death ... you're going to end up doing some serious jail time,” he said.
When asked by the court if he had anything to say to Nicole's family, Bardindino declined comment and was promptly whisked away to begin serving time.
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2 years just doesn't sound right...
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20040120-013/page.asp
A youthful experiment with the designer drug Ecstasy turned to heart wrenching agony when 17-year-old Nicole Malik died from the unpredictable effects of the chemical cocktail in December 2001.
On Tuesday, the man who sold her the pills was held responsible for her untimely demise. Thirty-year-old Johnrex Bernandino was sentenced to two years less a day after being found guilty of trafficking and criminal negligence causing death.
At the time of the incident, Bernandino was managing the Alpha Lounge Internet Café on Bloor St. W. Malik came into the establishment searching the euphoric effects the drug was supposed to induce.
A short time later, the drug began to take hold, but there was nothing ecstatic about the experience. Nicole fell ill, eventually falling backwards and hitting her head. When she began to vomit and have seizures, other patrons of the establishment suggested getting help.
But Berdandino, who didn’t want his drug-trafficking to be unveiled by authorities, refused to call for help, precipitating the young girl’s death.
Family are still outraged by the incident, and don’t think two years was an appropriate punishment. “I was not happy with the sentence,” said Nicole’s brother James. “He wasn't given enough time. The whole family's upset about it. It wasn't something that we were quite expecting.”
Crown Attorney Calvin Barry believes the case sends a clear message to drug peddlers.
“If you're trafficking in this type of drug, ecstasy or any kind of drug like heroin, cocaine, and you cause someone's death ... you're going to end up doing some serious jail time,” he said.
When asked by the court if he had anything to say to Nicole's family, Bardindino declined comment and was promptly whisked away to begin serving time.
-----------------
2 years just doesn't sound right...
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20040120-013/page.asp