Mar 1, 2017 5 min read

A Washington man will stand trial for allegedly providing the fentanyl-laced heroin to a 28-year-old woman who died of an overdose in spite of an attempt by his defense attorney to have the charges against him thrown out, arguing the statute was unconstitutional.

Robert William Welsh III, 35, was ordered held for court by District Judge David Mark on charges of drug delivery resulting in death and possession with intent to deliver heroin following a preliminary hearing in Central Court Wednesday.

Welsh is accused of giving two stamp bags of heroin to William Roberson July 31 while the two were in Arch’s Country Saloon on Green Street, Canton Township. Roberson and his girlfriend, Sarah Adessa Wilson, who also was in the bar, returned to Suburban Extended Stay Hotel about 100 yards away on Sheffield Street, Canton. The two returned to their room, where they were staying for several months while he worked in the gas industry, and snorted the drug. Roberson found Wilson dead the following morning.

Before testimony began in the hearing, Renee Colbert, a conflict attorney representing Welsh, asked the criminal complaint against her client be quashed because the statute was unconstitutional, citing several cases. Assistant District Attorney Jason Walsh countered it was constitutional, citing other cases. Mark denied the request, indicating it was an argument to be heard in the Court of Common Pleas instead of the magisterial level.

Colbert also asked her client be held for court but would not agree to waive the charges. Walsh argued against that, telling the judge he wanted to put testimony on the record. Walsh also noted Roberson flew in Wednesday from Arkansas to testify in the case.

The 36-year-old Roberson of Rosebud, Ark., testified he met Wilson in January 2016 at a bar in Clearfield, Clearfield County, where Wilson had been living. Roberson said he was working as a skilled laborer on gas pipelines. He said the two were romantically involved for about eight months before her death.

“We were soul mates and best friends,” Roberson testified, adding he was there to testify because “Bob played a big part in Sarah’s death.”

Roberson testified Wilson was excited because she thought they were moving into a townhouse, but then was disappointed when they were turned down because of his credit history.

“We were washing away our sorrows,” Roberson explained. “I took her to a restaurant she had never been to and bought her some clothes and jewelry.”

When the two returned to the hotel, they decided to go to the bar for a few drinks. He wanted to shoot some pool. There were only a few people in the bar when they arrived. Welsh came in later. Roberson said he and a man who would introduce himself as “Bob” struck up a conversation while Wilson starting talking with other women at the bar. Roberson and Welsh were shooting pool when the topic of reported drugs came up in the conversation.

“I was looking to get some weed,” Roberson testified, indicating he and Wilson drank, smoked marijuana and had used crystal meth. “I never saw heroin before.”

Welsh reportedly indicated he sold heroin. He went to the bathroom and when he returned, Welsh allegedly handed stamp bags – “if that’s what you call it” – to him, Roberson testified.

“I asked him what you do with it, and he said just snort it,” Roberson said.

Roberson and Wilson went back to their room after retrieving cigarettes from his vehicle and spending about 20 minutes looking for a ring she dropped in the parking lot before finding it. He said they were excited as well as nervous and scared about trying the heroin.

“I poured it out and made two lines,” he said. “I snorted one, and she snorted one.”

Roberson said he collapsed a short time later and woke about to find her on the floor. He said she placed her in bed with him before again passing out. He awoke a few hours later and went to the bathroom after becoming ill. He said he tried to wake her up but could not. Roberson then fell asleep again until his alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. so he could get ready for work. He hoped she would wake up like she did every morning to fix his lunch, including writing love notes she would put inside.

“I shook her again, but when I put the light on, I knew she was gone,” Roberson said. “Then, I called 911.”

Roberson admitted to flushing the bags in the toilet, saying he was scared.

Trooper Thomas Kress, who filed the charges against Welsh, said Roberson gave him a description of “Bob” as well as a cellphone number. Kress talked with the bar owner who checked the surveillance and later identified Welsh. The cellphone number Welsh reportedly had given Roberson was the same as the one on file with Washington County adult probation.

Welsh remains in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond.