Homicidio involuntario por delitos relacionados con drogas

Explicación Simple

Si alguien vende o da drogas que tienen fentanilo y esa droga causa la muerte de otra persona, puede ser acusado de homicidio involuntario. No importa si la persona que murió también usó la droga intencionalmente.

Es como si un cocinero prepara un platillo peligroso sin advertir a los comensales, y uno de ellos se enferma gravemente. Aunque la persona eligió comer, el cocinero es responsable por no avisar.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan vende pastillas a su amigo Pedro, sin saber que contienen fentanilo. Pedro toma las pastillas y muere. Juan podría ser acusado de homicidio involuntario, aunque Pedro eligió consumirlas.

Penalidades

Puede enfrentar cargos de homicidio involuntario, lo que puede llevar a penas de prisión significativas.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 18.2-36.3 - Involuntary manslaughter; certain drug offenses. A. Any person who knowingly, intentionally, and feloniously manufactures, sells, or distributes a controlled substance knowing that such controlled substance contains a detectable amount of fentanyl, including its derivatives, isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, in violation of Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 and unintentionally causes the death of another person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter if (i) such death results from the use of the controlled substance and (ii) such controlled substance is the proximate cause of the death regardless of the time or place death occurred in relation to the commission of the underlying manufacturing, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance that contains a detectable amount of fentanyl, including its derivatives, isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers. B. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the decedent contributed to his own death by his knowing or voluntary use of the controlled substance. Venue for a prosecution under this section shall lie in the locality where the manufacturing, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance that contains a detectable amount of fentanyl, including its derivatives, isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, occurred, where the use of the controlled substance occurred, or where death occurred. C. However, if any person proves that he gave or distributed a controlled substance that contains a detectable amount of fentanyl, including its derivatives, isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, in violation of Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 only as an accommodation to another individual who is not an inmate in a c