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CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Authorities say pneumonia resulting from mixed drug intoxication killed a man charged in the 2013 traffic death of a Conway police officer.
The Log Cabin Democrat (http://bit.ly/1LcQkJg ) reports that Barry Strickland's death certificate says he had a mix of morphine, amphetamine, muscle relaxer, and anti-anxiety medications in his system when he was found dead at his parents' house in November. He was out on bond awaiting a December jury trial.
Strickland was charged with first-degree battery after authorities say he was driving the car that hit Conway Police Officer William McGary, who was directing traffic, in January 2013. McGary died the next day.
"This is a combination of drugs that could have contributed to his death, but these were all medications that were prescribed to him by his doctor; medications that he'd been taking since he returned from Iraq as a damaged war veteran," Defense Attorney Frank Shaw said.
Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland offered his condolences to the Strickland's family, but said he was not surprised by the results.
"Had a criminal trial proceeded, the toxicity levels and drugs would have been relevant to the case, and the results of the autopsy were certainly consistent with the type of drugs found in his system at the time of Will McGary's death," Hiland said.
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Information from: Log Cabin Democrat, http://www.thecabin.net
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