In September, actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his nuanced portrayals of gangsters in T.V. dramas like The Wire and The Night Of, passed away. His death was determined to be the result of an overdose of heroin which had been laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent. Earlier this week, federal prosecutors in New York charged four men with selling Williams the fatal mix. The man who actually made the exchange, Irvin "Green Eyes" Cartagena, was additionally charged with causing Williams' death. But while Williams' death was tragic, throwing the book at his dealers will not have the effect that prosecutors intend.
On Wednesday, the same day news outlets reported the arrests, The Daily Beast published a lengthy account of the investigation which led to the four arrests. The article draws heavily from interviews with police, who relay the actor's movements during his final hours in granular detail. Deputy Chief John Chell recalled that he advised the investigating precincts, "Treat this case as if Michael K. Williams was hit by a bullet. Make believe he got shot."
