Conn. woman acquitted in son's overdose death

Conn. woman acquitted in son's overdose death

KILLINGLY, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut woman has been found not guilty of manslaughter in her 15-year-old son's overdose death.

Heather Specyalski of Ashford was acquitted Thursday in Danielson Superior Court. The trial began March 11.

Prosecutors said the 42-year-old Specyalski knew her son, Brandon, had consumed alcohol and morphine before he died in 2008, but didn't seek medical attention until she found him unresponsive hours later.

Defense attorney Terry Donovan said she and her co-counsel and husband, Jeremiah Donovan, are "ecstatic" about the jury's verdict.

Specyalski was acquitted nine years ago of manslaughter in a 1999 car crash that killed prominent businessman Neil Esposito. Authorities initially said Specyalski was driving, but her lawyer raised the possibility that Esposito was behind the wheel.

Donovan said Thursday, "We don't think Heather should have been prosecuted this time or the previous time."

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