Kelsey McCabe, 27, of Souderton.
A Souderton woman is heading to state prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday morning to one count of criminal homicide - drug delivery resulting in death, in connection with the fatal overdose of Justin Martella in July 2018.
As part of a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors, 27-year-old Kelsey McCabe has been sentenced to 8-to-16-years in state prison. Additional charges of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal use of a communication facility, possession with intent to distribute, reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed in exchange for her plea, according to court records.
“This overdose death of a young man is the result of someone selling deadly poison for greed and for profit, without caring about the consequences of her actions,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, when announcing McCabe’s arrest in July 2019. “There are consequences when you kill someone, and in this case, those consequences are being charged with Drug Delivery Resulting in Death.”
According to the criminal complaint, Lansdale Borough Police were dispatched to an apartment on West Sixth Street on July 31, 2018, at 6:42 p.m. for a report of a heroin overdose. Upon arrival, they found Martella unresponsive inside the residence, and despite revival attempts, he was pronounced dead a short time later, the report states.
Martella’s cause of death was later determined to be heroin and fentanyl intoxication.
While on scene, police found baggies containing traces of a white powder, with some of them being stamped with “DANGER” along with a red skull and bones, according to the report. The ensuing investigation uncovered that Martella had been communicating with McCabe on the day of his death, in order to allegedly purchase heroin/fentanyl from her, the report states.
Texts and calls indicated that Martella purchased the drugs from McCabe at her residence that day, according to the report.
Court records indicate that McCabe will receive credit for time served, beginning at the point of her initial arrest on July 9, 2019.
The following is a statement provided by Jamie Martella-Stahelek, Justin Martella's sister:
My name is Jamie Stahelek, and on behalf of my family, I would like to say a few things in regards to my brother, Justin Martella.
Justin was an amazing son, brother, and wonderful uncle. This loss has altered our family in many ways, and we are never going to be the same or recover from this devastation. The actions and decisions made on July 31, 2018, were tragic and I hope and pray this sentence serves as a learning lesson and that, in the future, better decisions are made so no other family has to suffer the way we are.
No amount of time will bring him back. I genuinely pray for our family, as well as hers, and even though I will never forget the events of that day, I do pray we can eventually forgive her; not for her, but for us. #justiceforjustin
See also:
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Charges Dismissed Against Lansdale Woman Accused Of Stabbing Husband
Lansdale Man Facing Hundreds Of Child Porn Charges Heading To Jury Trial In May
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