Shinglehouse man convicted of drug-related manslaughter | News

Potter County District Attorney Andy Watson said Whitsell had injected the furanyl fentanyl — which is a designer drug known as “grey death” or “China white” — causing severe respiratory depression, “and within hours the victim died.”

Watson said Whitsell’s death was the first case in Potter County where furanyl fentanyl was involved in a known drug transaction or a death.

The prosecutor said, “At the time of the offense, furanyl fentanyl was not yet classified as a controlled substance and was considered to be both a designer drug and a non-controlled substance. However, due to its very lethal effects, Pennsylvania classified furanyl fentanyl as a schedule 1 controlled substance on Aug. 8, 2016, after the incident.”

Watson prosecuted the case, while Dawn Fink was the defense counsel.

Mulkin was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute a noncontrolled substance that has a stimulant or depressant effect on humans and possession of a designer drug, both felonies; criminal use of a communication facility, a third-degree felony; and involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree misdemeanor.

A prior case filed against Mulkin related to Whitsell’s death — which included a charge of drug delivery resulting in death — was withdrawn earlier this year, and the new case was filed in April.

Mulkin’s sentencing has been set for 9 a.m. April 10 at the Potter County Courthouse.