Teen Charged In OU Student’s Death
ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio—A teen was indicted Monday on two charges related to the April death of an Ohio University student.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
James Tyler Wagers, 19, of Mansfield was indicted Monday for one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated drug trafficking in connection with the death of Eric Hansen.
Hansen, 20, died as a result of a fall from a fourth-floor dorm window at Ohio University Tuesday, April 28, 2009, while under the influence of psilocybin.
Wagers was accused of having provided psilocybin mushrooms, an hallucinogenic drug.
Psilocybin was discovered in Hansen’s system during an autopsy performed by the Franklin County coroner’s office.
The involuntary manslaughter charge is a first-degree felony and carries a possibility of as much as 10 years in prison.
The aggravated drug trafficking charge is a fourth-degree felony and carries a possibility of 18 months in prison.
Wagers was scheduled to appear before Judge L. Alan Goldsberry at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009.
Ohio University police investigated the case.
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Reader Reactions
We have control over out lives and a system that works to our benefit to protect our families and friends. I work with young people who are at risk for dropping out of school, teenage pregnancy, and drug abuse. I see success and failure everyday. But I can’t let the bigwigs or big corporations blur my compassion. And I can’t be as cynical as you when I see the failures & inequities in the system For me, these two kids represents how isolated our kids have become from the responsibility they have to themselves and others. They did not make the right connection. And as a result, one died. I’m sorry I was so snarky with you ... I read you all wrong. Love & peace, Medoza
Yes I am edgy this morning. That was my whole point, people being held accountable. I wake up every day and anylize my life and individuals that are relatives and neighbors lives. I get so upset that I see young boys standing on corners wasting away thier lives, then I feel sypathetic at the same time due to the fact that this is prety much all they have been taught. They have no role models and were most likely neglected during thier early childhood years. There are government and corporate bigwigs that are resposible for the primary distribution of narcotics and they never have to suffer the consequences. When will it end? Never. They will always sit in their nice cozy homes eating steaks with thier family having no obligational desire to feel any sympathy for the little people that pay the price of what they have started.
Why should this kid be the only to get charged? He was provided these shrooms. The individual that supplied him, most likely got them from someone. Why should this kid whom was trying to do something with his life be the only to suffer?
Occurances like this is why these methods continue. People see that you can get away with things, as long as there is one person to blame. Blame always makes people believe they feel better about a situation.
It’s too easy to be funny in this situation, isn’t it? But this isn’t really about holding one individual accountable for the death of another individual. This is about an individual taking responsibility for the decision he or she makes when they give somebody a mushroom which can result in fatal consequences. Obviously by pleading not guilty, he’s not taking responsibility and may even be as arrogent & stupid thinking the same way as you do. (Making a mockery of everything.) Most people laugh from their own ignorances because this is a very difficult lesson for anyone to learn. Nobody wants to take ownership of the responsibility of what happens when they give somebody drugs. It’s funny though how it’s not as difficult for the person who died.
What about the cow that produced the medium to grow these mushrooms is it also at fault?
A little edgy this morning, Maumi? Is that cynicism I detect in your expression? Certainly the only person who can avoid a tragedy of this magnitude is the person making the choice. But to overlook the source or the complete equation and disregard the matter as “well, it’s his own fault” is not acceptable. In fact, it show a complete disregard to human life and disconnection to our humanity. That’s what cynicism does to people, it eats away at their humanity until they become dysfunctionally apathetic removing themselves of taking any responsibility at all. Have a great day on this little island you live on ... hope you don’t run out of water.
I think you are onto something. If this is the case then they have to track it all the way back to the original source and all individuals involved have to be charge as well. Maybe they can end the drug war….yea right this guy is going to pay because of politics as usual. Our country was founded by criminals.
That’s correct. Recreational drug use is a cycle self perpetuated by supply, demand, stupidity, arrogance, and apathy. So what’s your point? That the person who supplies the illegal substance is not part of the problem or does not share in responsibility if somebody dies? Both guys apparently knew that drugs were dangerous yet they engaged in this kind of activity anyway. One dies. So the one person who dies should have known better, but the person who gave him the stuff is off the hook because why? He didn’t know mushrooms were dangerous?
Had he not fallen he would still be scoring from whover he could get it from…..reality.
Why is involuntary manslaughter so hard to believe. Had this kid never fallen to his death, it would have been “business as usual” for the other kid who supplied the mushroom now wouldn’t it?
Involuntary manslaughter charges, geez. This kid chose to ingest this substance. I am sorry for the family and friends of this young man, but if my daughter were to grow up and ingest chemicals after I taught her not to do so and explained the consequences, then she would have to suffer them. The war on drugs will never end, they have always been here and it is no mystery as to how (government). These individuals that feel the need to acquire controlled substances will find a way no matter what. Example: the invention of Meth and whatever other man made substances that are flowing through our streets. People need to be held accountable for “their” own actions. I agree with the drug trafficing charge, but I disagree with the other charge as this should have been ruled a suicide.
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