Duval County Jury Finds Way Guilty of Manslaughter by Overdose

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Daniel Way guilty of Manslaughter by Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Sale or Delivery of Fentanyl; and Sale or Delivery of Cocaine. With the verdict, Way faces up to 45 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Anthony Salem will sentence Way at a later date.

On Dec. 9, 2023, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Overdose Task Force responded to two suspected drugs overdoses in the Pickwick Park neighborhood. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue transported two female victims to the hospital. A witness and Way were detained at the scene. The witness explained that Way was his drug dealer and delivered fentanyl and cocaine to him earlier in the day. The witness allowed Way to use his home for a party with the two women in exchange for drugs. The witness remained in his garage while Way was inside the home with the women until Way called for help. The two women were unconscious inside the home. As the witness attempted to help one of the victims in the bedroom, he saw a powdery substance. Way told the witness he gave the wrong drug to the victims.

One of the victims died in the hospital a few days later. The victim’s toxicology report showed her cause of death was due to acute fentanyl intoxication with cocaine as a contributing factor. The other victim was transported to the hospital and survived. The surviving victim’s account of what occurred corroborated the witness’ account and refuted Way’s version of events.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Joseph Licandro and Paige West.