Painkiller Blamed in Student's Murder
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - A man charged with killing a University of Alabama student by giving her a narcotic pain patch has turned himself into authorities.
Police say 28-year-old James Edward Hurn Jr. is charged with murder, manslaughter and drug charges in the December 2008 death of 21-year-old Jeanie Scott. He was indicted by a grand jury Nov. 5. He was released Thursday on $20,000 bond.
Police say Hurn gave Scott, who had been drinking alcohol, a pain patch that delivers a potent narcotic through the skin, which caused her to overdose. Hurn called 911 the next morning after he found Scott unresponsive.
His attorney, Joseph Pierce, couldn't be reached for comment. Scott was from Magnolia Springs in south Alabama.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
