BURLINGTON MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE IN MAY 2006
DRUG OVERDOSE

A Burlington man pleaded not guilty Thursday to two charges,
including manslaughter, in connection with a May 2006 drug-overdose
death of an acquaintance.

Jesse J. Davis, 35, was ordered jailed on $35,000 bail during his
arraignment at Vermont District Court in Burlington. He faces up to
18 years in prison if convicted on charges of manslaughter and
delivery of a narcotic drug.

Police say Davis provided a fentanyl patch to Michael Delphia, who
later overdosed and died. Delphia ingested part of the patch
containing a painkiller and became ill. Davis then drove Delphia home
and left him on a couch, where Delphia later was found dead, police
said in court papers.

Davis' next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28.