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PHOENIX - Sentencing for a man who pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl-laced pills, which prosecutors say led to the death of an Arizona teen, has been delayed again by a judge.
Michael Fox was charged with distributing three fentanyl-laced pills to a 16-year-old named Hannah Elizabeth Pairrett, who died after using the pills. According to court records, Hannah used her boyfriend's phone to ask Fox for Percocet in June 2019. She got three pills delivered, took one, and fell unconscious about an hour later.
"She didn’t know it was going to be her last day, and I don’t even consider it an overdose," said the teen's mother, Danya Pairrett Ayers. "I felt like it was a poisoning. She was poisoned."
Fox pleaded guilty to distribution and was supposed to be sentenced last month, but the judge decided to delay it after witness testimony dragged on.
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Sentencing delayed in fentanyl case due to lengthy testimony
On Nov. 14, the judge announced that Fox would be held responsible and agreed the fentanyl pills did in fact cause Pairret's death.
"I have a little bit of weight lifted off my shoulder and you too probably, and them. We at least know now that he is definitely going to be held accountable for what happened," her mother said.
The prosecution is asking for an enhancement, which will allow the judge to increase the penalties, potentially creating a longer prison sentence.
While the judge decides, the sentencing hearing was pushed back again to Monday.
"We have one more day and that’s going to be the day that he will be put into custody next week, and it’s a good day for the family. We’ve just been waiting a long time and I know that we’ve been through a lot. This whole family. It’s been a very difficult four years, and we’re just glad that it’s actually … we have a decision today and that was one of the most important things," Danya said.
Several other families gathered in court, many of whom have also lost loved ones to fentanyl and are seeking justice in their cases.
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AZ man to be sentenced in teen's fentanyl death
Michael Fox was charged with distributing fentanyl-laced pills to a 16-year-old named Hannah Elizabeth Pairrett, who died after using the pills. According to court records, Hannah used her boyfriend's phone to ask Fox for Percocet in June 2019. She got three pills delivered, took one, and fell unconscious about an hour later.
Last month, several of the victim's friends and family showed up in court and three hours of testimony was given, but the judge delayed the sentencing until Nov. 14.
Fox's sentencing hearing is now scheduled for Nov. 20.