York County man pleads guilty in 2 deadly drug overdoses — but rejects proposed sentence
A York County man accepted responsibility on Monday for his role in providing the opioids that led to two deadly drug overdoses.
David Taylor, 35, of Newberry Township, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug delivery resulting in death and related crimes but rejected a plea agreement that called for him to serve 10 to 20 years in prison. Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder will determine the punishment at sentencing on April 7.
“When it comes time for me to sentence you, the only limitation on the sentence I impose will be any limitations imposed on me by law,” Snyder told Taylor. “It’s going to be up to me, really.”
Previous coverage: 2 seemingly unrelated fatal drug overdoses lead to arrests of 2 men for providing drugs in York County, police say
In response to questions from First Assistant District Attorney Tim Barker, Taylor admitted that he provided the fentanyl, an opioid that's more powerful than morphine, that killed Edward “Butch” Ahrens, 27, of York, on Dec. 23, 2016.
Later, Taylor acknowledged that he gave Jared Connelly, 30, of Manchester, the fentanyl that resulted in his death on June 3, 2018.
Taylor testified at trial against the supplier of the drugs, David Seecharran, who was found guilty of third-degree murder, drug delivery resulting in death, corrupt organizations and related crimes and later sentenced to serve 30 to 60 years in prison. He maintains his innocence.
Related: York County jury convicts man of being supplier in 1 fatal drug overdose, acquits him in 2nd
Prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining charges, which included two counts of third-degree murder.
“We have shown Mr. Taylor what we feel is substantial and appropriate consideration, even though he disagreed with our 10- to 20-year number,” Barker said.
Bill Graff, Taylor’s attorney, said he agreed with that statement.
“He trusts the court,” Graff said of Taylor, “and we’ll go from there.”
'You just don’t care': York County judge sentences man to 30 to 60 years for fatal overdose
Taylor is being held in York County Prison.
Dylan Segelbaum is the courthouse reporter at the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact him at dsegelbaum@ydr.com, by phone at 717-916-3981 or on Twitter @dylan_segelbaum.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Heroin epidemic: David Taylor pleads guilty in 2 fatal overdoses
