Anthony J. Aunan, 38, of Zumbrota, Minn., was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death on Oct. 23, 2007, of Jenifer Stodola, 38, of Minnetrista.
Aunan was enrolled in a methadone treatment program to combat his heroin addiction, the county attorney's office said this morning. Aunan was acquitted of third-degree murder by delivery of a controlled substance.
During the four-day jury trial, evidence showed that Aunan gave some of his prescribed methadone to Stodola, who wanted it for abdominal pain. At the time, Stodola was intoxicated. The two took a nap and upon awakening, Aunan discovered Stodola was nonresponsive.
Although Stodola's drunkenness was a factor in her death, Dr. Lindsay Thomas, a forensic pathologist, testified that the methadone was to blame.
Aunan remains jail pending sentencing on April 10.
METHADONE is a prescription drug used for Heroine addicts. It is said the drug gives the same "high" as heroine but is somehow safer. In my younger years I worked in a flop house for Vancouver Housing. During my time there, I became acquainted with METHADONE and its' additive qualities. Many drug addicts on the GOVERNMENT METHADONE PROGRAM often sell some of their METHADONE to pay for other drugs and then return to stealing to support their heroine addiction once their METHADONE is gone.
A simple DEFINITION OF METHADONE is METHADONE is a synthetic Heroine given to addicts in hopes of weening them off heroine.