Pawtucket man sentenced to 40 years for woman's death under Kristen's Law

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced the sentencing of 44-year-old Walik Morrison, a Pawtucket resident, to 40 years in prison for his role in the death of 35-year-old Tokie Zammerelli in 2022. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first conviction under Kristen's Law, which targets drug-related fatalities linked to the delivery of controlled substances.

Morrison was found guilty in December of multiple drug-related charges, including one count of delivery of a controlled substance that resulted in death. Prosecutors stated that Morrison was responsible for delivering fentanyl to Zammerelli, leading to her tragic overdose.

On January 25, 2022, Morrison provided the victim with a powdered substance after she specifically requested cocaine. Tragically, Zammerelli was found unresponsive later that day and was pronounced dead soon after. The autopsy confirmed that she died from a combination of cocaine and fentanyl intoxication.

Authorities were able to connect the two through text messages exchanged between Morrison and Zammerelli. His arrest followed the execution of a search warrant on February 15, 2022, where investigators gathered crucial evidence.

During questioning, Morrison admitted to having crushed fentanyl pills and delivered them to Zammerelli, underscoring the serious implications of his actions. Attorney General Neronha emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for their role in the growing drug crisis affecting communities.