Trial starts in Sheboygan County overdose trial

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — A jury trial has started for a Plymouth man accused of providing heroin that led to the fatal overdose of a 21-year-old woman.

Joseph Lengling is charged with first-degree reckless homicide by drug delivery in Sheboygan County. Prosecutors allege the 25-year-old provided heroin injected by Tabitha Thede, of Plymouth, before she died May 21.

The Sheboygan Press reports Lengling was charged July 15 based on an analysis of Thede’s blood.

The complaint said Thede and 22-year-old Dustin Lecher injected heroin provided by Lengling. They were both found unconscious in the basement of Lecher’s Plymouth home, and emergency responders were able to revive Lecher.

Jury selection started Monday. The trial is expected to conclude Friday.

If convicted, Lengling could face a 25-year prison sentence.