Gloversville man admits role in methadone death
By RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-HeraldJOHNSTOWN - A Gloversville man is expected to serve 2 1/2 years in prison for giving his girlfriend methadone, which played a role in her death in May 2007.
Joseph Labadia, 27, a former resident of the Fulton County YMCA, pleaded guilty Friday in Fulton County Court to one count of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Labadia will be sentenced Nov. 17 to a prison term of 2 1/2 years.
Labadia provided methadone to 33-year-old Stephanie Hudson at her Washington Street apartment on May 19, 2007. An autopsy attributed Hudson's death to cardiac arrhythmia brought on by the combined effects of the methadone and an anti-depressant that she was prescribed.
Under state law, giving someone drugs for free and selling them are treated the same way.
Fulton County District Attorney Louise K. Sira said the plea agreement and subsequent sentence was appropriate. She said the drug sale charge has a harsher sentence than criminally negligent homicide, 1 1/3 to four years, which Labadia also was charged with. The plea agreement on the drug charge means Labadia could have two years of post-release supervision, which was not available under the other charges, she said.
Police said Labadia had a prescription for methadone, which is used to ease the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts because it can mimic some of the effects of heroin.
Sira said Labadia was in a methadone program and was given one dose per day. However, Labadia had an extra dose available because members of the program are given two doses for the weekend, she said. Sira said both Labadia and Hudson had a long history of drug abuse, and by all accounts, Hudson was looking for drugs on the day she died.
Police said when Hudson exhibited an adverse physical reaction to the methadone, Labadia failed to seek medical attention for her.
Police said DNA from both Hudson and Labadia was found on the hypodermic needle found at the scene.
Sira said the grand jury that indicted him determined that Hudson injected herself with the methadone.
