New England Newspapers

PITTSFIELD -- A North Adams woman was sentenced to three to six years in state prison for selling a powerful opiate painkiller to a friend who overdosed and died shortly afterward.

Dawn Cote, 44, of Liberty Street, North Adams, was found guilty Sept. 27 of selling Fentanyl, a prescription painkiller described as 100 times more powerful than heroine, to 32-year-old Carlen Robinson, who had inadvertently become addicted to prescription opiates due to a painful medical condition. Cote wept throughout the proceedings at Berkshire Superior Court.

This the first time prosecutors in Berkshire County have held a drug dealer criminally responsible for an overdose death.

Carlen Robinson was found dead on the floor of her apartment by her former boyfriend on Nov. 11, 2005.

"This case showcased the tragedy of the disease of addiction and the deadly consequence of the illegal dealing of narcotics," said Paul Caccaviello, Berkshire first assistant district attorney, following the sentencing.