SPRINGFIELD RESIDENT CHARGED WITH DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE

A 51-year-old Springfield man has been charged with drug-induced
homicide for allegedly supplying heroin to another man who died of a
drug overdose on Thanksgiving Day.

Ernest Kirkwood, of the 500 block of Herndon Street, waived a
preliminary hearing Thursday on charges of possession of a controlled
substance with intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony; and drug-induced
homicide, a special class felony punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison.

Assistant state's attorneys Steve Weinhoeft and Amy Wolff allege in
court documents that on Nov. 25, Kirkwood "delivered heroin to Greg S.
Gaffigan, who died as a result of an overdose."

Police were called to a house in the 400 block of West Miller Street
at about 7:35 a.m. because of a possible drug overdose, according to
reports.

When they arrived, they found both Gaffigan, 44, and another man
unconscious and Kirkwood in the same room. The unconscious men were
taken to a hospital, where Gaffigan later died.

Kirkwood was arrested at the time and charged with possession with the
intent to deliver between one and 15 grams of heroin.

He remains in the Sangamon County jail on $100,000 bond.