Westfield man charged with manslaughter in overdose death pleads not guilty

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A man from Westfield is facing manslaughter charges after allegedly selling a deadly synthetic opioid that led to an overdose death.

Christopher Halla pleaded not guilty on Tuesday morning in Hampshire Superior Court. He is charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of a 57-year-old woman.

“In this case, the commonwealth presented evidence to the grand jury that the defendant repeatedly misled the victim that the pills that he was selling to her were legitimate Oxycontin,” said Joseph Webber, who is the lead prosecutor at Halla’s arraignment.

Christopher Halla’s offenses stem from the death of a 57-year-old woman in South Hadley.

Halla allegedly pursued the victim, she was in search of pain medication. Halla allegedly sold her drugs that contained metonitazene, a synthetic opioid that is far more potent than fentanyl and the defense argued that the victim was not aware of this.

“The victim would’ve had no way of knowing these pills were that dangerous however what’s clear in text messages that the commonwealth recovered between the defendant and the victim is that she repeatedly asked the defendant if these were legitimate and if they were fentanyl free and the defendant repeatedly assured her that they were,” continued Webber in his opening statement at Hampshire Superior Court.

The Commonwealth requested $100,000 cash bail. The defense is hoping to reduce that amount because Halla is homeless and unemployed and his only income is SNAP benefits. The judge, however, sided with the Commonwealth.

If convicted Halla could face up to 20 years in state prison. He’s due back in court on January 21st, 2025.

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