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MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — Prosecutors say a man left his girlfriend alone in her New York dorm room when she overdosed on heroin and didn't seek help for 17 hours.
Joseph Joudah pleaded not guilty Friday to manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and other charges in the death of Hofstra University student Olivia McClellan.
Prosecutors say the 19-year-old Joudah was taking heroin with McClellan in her dorm room April 18. They say when McClellan began to overdose, Joudah left.
Prosecutors say he anonymously called campus security 17 hours later. Officials found McClellan's body in her dorm room.
Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas says it's the first time someone has been charged in Nassau County with manslaughter for a heroin-injection death.
Joudah's lawyer says his client is distraught over the death and the injection was consensual.
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