The Peoria County forensic pathologist who administered the autopsy in a Mercer County drug-induced homicide case has testified that methamphetamine intoxication was the cause of the death of a Joy man.
Dr. Amanda Youmans’ testimony in Mercer County Circuit Court on Wednesday was regarding the May 2024 death of 26-year-old Blake Russell near Seaton.
43-year-old Dale Robert Woodsmall of New Boston is facing a Class X felony count of drug-induced homicide and two Class 2 felony counts of methamphetamine delivery in the case.
A witness testified on Tuesday that he and Russell purchased meth from Woodsmall on the day of Russell’s death and used it with two others that day. Russell was found dead later that day in that witness’s vehicle after driving it alone near Seaton.
Woodsmall’s attorney, William Breedlove, told the jury in his opening statement on Tuesday that he expected them to find Woodsmall guilty of the delivery charges, but not the drug-induced homicide charge.
The drug-induced homicide charge carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. Class 2 felonies are punishable by three to seven years in prison. Woodsmall has been in custody since his arrest last July.
Witness testimony is continuing Thursday.