OCTOBER 18, 2007

ARREST MADE IN STUDENT DEATH

PRINCETON BOROUGH — The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Princeton Borough Police Department announced today that charges have been filed in the death of 18-year-old Westminster Choir College student Justin Warfield. 

Kieran Hunt, 19, was charged Wednesday evening with strict liability for the drug-induced death of Warfield, a first-degree offense. 

The complaint specifically alleges that Hunt, of Piscataway, NJ, and also a student at WCC, distributed and injected heroin, which caused Warfield’s death.  Hunt is also charged with distribution of heroin and distribution of heroin with 1000 feet of a school.  Bail for Hunt was set in the amount of $100,000 cash or bond and posted last night.  His first court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 22, in Princeton Borough Municipal Court. 

In addition, the Princeton Borough Police Department issued summonses to Robert Kelly, 19, of Danby, Vermont, Nicholas Landrum, 20, of Mullica Hills, NJ, and Bryan Smith, 19, of Freehold, NJ, for harassment, a disorderly persons offense.   

At approximately 5 a.m., the Princeton Borough Police Department received a 911 call regarding an unresponsive male at an apartment located in the 200 block of Witherspoon Street.  Police responded and began to perform CPR until the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad arrived.  Warfield was transported by ambulance to the University Medical Center at Princeton where he was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 6 a.m. 

The investigation has revealed that after completing his classes on Tuesday, October 16, Hunt traveled to Newark at approximately 4:30 p.m. and purchased heroin.  He returned to the college campus and met Warfield.  The two students went to Hunt’s vehicle, a 1993 Buick Regal, and parked in the rear of D lot on the college campus.  Hunt prepared a bag of heroin for Warfield and injected it into Warfield’s arm using a syringe.  He then injected himself with an additional bag of heroin. 

Shortly after the heroin injection, Warfield passed out.  Hunt called Robert Kelly and the two friends drove Warfield to Landrum’s apartment on Witherspoon Street and carried him inside.  They arrived at approximately 11:30 p.m.  Warfield was placed on a futon and Hunt, Landrum, Kelly and Bryan Smith drew on him with markers.   A few hours later, Landrum noticed Warfield was not breathing, began CPR and called 911. 

The results of yesterday’s autopsy are pending toxicology.  Warfield’s family confirmed that he was taking Adderall pursuant to a prescription.  Police received information that Warfield may have taken several doses of the medication prior to the injection of heroin.  Police can not confirm the presence or absence of alcohol at this time.  

Last night, police executed search warrants at the Witherspoon Street apartment, Warfield’s dorm room in Ithaca Hall, Hunt’s dorm room in Seabrook Hall, and Hunt’s vehicle.  Additional narcotics charges are expected to be filed based on the evidence seized. 

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.