Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has announced that Walik Morrison, a 44-year-old man from Pawtucket, has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court. The charges include multiple felony drug possession and distribution offenses, notably delivering fentanyl that resulted in the death of 35-year-old Tokie Zammarelli in 2022. This case is notable as it marks the first trial and conviction under Kristen’s Law.
On March 24, 2025, Superior Court Justice William E. Carnes sentenced Morrison to 50 years, with 40 to be served at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for delivering a controlled substance resulting in Ms. Zammarelli's death. Additional sentences include 30 years for various counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, xylazine, and large quantities of controlled substances; and 20 years for possession with intent to deliver tramadol and marijuana. All sentences will run concurrently.
The defendant was found guilty on December 10, 2024, after a five-day trial before Justice Carnes. Charges included delivery of a controlled substance resulting in death under Kristen’s Law and multiple counts related to drug possession and intent to deliver various narcotics.
Attorney General Neronha stated: “Those who push fentanyl and drive overdose deaths must be held accountable in order to address the root causes of the multiple drug-related crises plaguing our communities.” He expressed gratitude that the defendant would face significant sentencing despite nothing being able to bring back Tokie Zammarelli.
Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that on January 25, 2022, Morrison delivered a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl leading to Ms. Zammarelli's death after she ingested it later found unresponsive by her husband. Autopsy results indicated cocaine and fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death with lethal levels of fentanyl present.
Investigations led by Assistant Attorney General John Perrotta, Special Assistant Attorney General Alison Bittl from the Office of the Attorney General, alongside Detective Scott Sullivan formerly from Pawtucket Police Department revealed text messages between Ms. Zammarelli and Morrison arranging a delivery on January 25. Surveillance operations followed by a search warrant executed on February 15 uncovered substantial quantities of illegal drugs at Morrison’s residence.
During his arrest interview, Morrison admitted substituting powdered fentanyl for cocaine requested by Ms. Zammarelli.