The Calvert City man accused of manslaughter for his alleged role in a March 14 overdose and death has entered a not-guilty plea in Marshall County Circuit Court.
Thomas J. Hardin appeared before Judge Jamie Jameson Tuesday to enter the plea during his arraignment at the Marshall County Judicial Center in Benton. Hardin, who is out of custody on bond, appeared with attorney Butch Bradley.
Hardin stands accused of second-degree manslaughter and trafficking in a controlled substance. Police believe Hardin sold a quantity of U4, commonly referred to as “Pink,” to 23-year-old Taylor May of Calvert City. Taylor May and his brother, 18-year-old Karson May, overdosed on the substance at their residence in Calvert City, according to police.
U4, a synthetic drug developed in the 1970s, is reported to have effects similar to that of a very potent opioid. It has reportedly been linked to numerous overdose deaths since 2016 in the U.S.
Taylor May died at the scene; Karson May was hospitalized with serious injuries as a result.
According to police reports, Hardin was located at his place of employment March 21 in McCracken County and later arrested.
A second man, 24-year-old Jevan Sheppard of Benton, was arrested the following morning at his home in connection to the case. Police believe Sheppard supplied the drugs to Hardin. He stands accused of trafficking in synthetic drugs and trafficking in synthetic drugs with a firearm enhancement. The enhancement stems from a police search that allegedly yielded firearms within close proximity to quantities of the drug, which was packaged for sale.
Sheppard appeared in court May 11 and entered a not-guilty plea.
Hardin is scheduled to appear next at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27 in Circuit Court for a status hearing.
Sheppard will appear Thursday, June 29 in Circuit Court for a status hearing, according to Kentucky Courts online.