2nd man linked to fentanyl, heroin charges inside HMP for accused murderer Brandon Phillips
Glenn Payette | CBC News | Posted: August 17, 2017 1:43 PM | Last Updated: August 17, 2017
Phillips is charged with possessing drugs inside the penitentiary in May
Accused murderer Brandon Phillips appeared in provincial court in St. John's this morning to face new charges – possession of fentanyl, heroin and marijuana at Her Majesty's Penitentiary on May 26.
CBC News has learned that it was a small amount of fentanyl and heroin, and that the drugs were combined.
Drugs laced with fentanyl have been known to be lethal.
2nd man charged
Another man, Andrew McFadyen, 29, is charged with trafficking in the drugs.
Phillips's lawyer, Jeff Brace, told the court that while Phillips and McFadyen "are not co-accused, the matters are linked."
McFadyen is facing two counts of trafficking for each of the drugs – heroin, fentanyl and marijuana – on the same date, May 26.
McFadyen has a five-page criminal record with no drug-related offenses, largely breaches of court orders and fraud.
In December 2008, he was sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated assault.
Meanwhile, Phillips, 28, is slated to stand trial this November accused of fatally shooting Larry Wellman, 63, during an alleged armed robbery at the Captain's Quarters hotel in St. John's Oct. 3, 2015.
Phillips is also charged with committing an armed robbery at the same time.
Last December, he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, armed robbery and other charges.
Following a brief court appearance Thursday morning, Phillips was returned to the penitentiary. He has been in custody since his arrest in October 2015.
McFadyen also made a brief court appearance today. He is not in custody.
Both men are scheduled to appear in provincial court again on Sept. 22 for the drug charges.