A Chesterfield County man was ordered to serve 10 years in prison for selling a lethal dose of methadone to a friend.

Jeffrey Scott Carrowiano, 29, was sentenced yesterday in Henrico County Circuit Court to 40 years in prison with 30 years suspended. He was found guilty in April of second-degree murder in the death of Larry Wayne Smith Jr.

At the trial, forensics experts testified that Smith, 26, of Sandston died March 10, 2007, of respiratory distress brought on by taking undiluted liquid methadone, a drug used to help addicts reduce their dependency on heroin.

Carrowiano, dressed in a dark suit and gold tie, sobbed as his parents testified during yesterday's sentencing hearing about his 10-year struggle with drug addiction.

Taking the stand, Carrowiano said he has been participating in substance-abuse programs in jail and is drug-free.

"It's made me take a look at a lot of things. I had to look at how I've been living my life," he said. "I can't stand the person that I was. I don't want to go back to that lifestyle."

Carrowiano, who did not testify at the trial, gave his own account yesterday of the events that led to Smith's death.

He said Smith and two women came to his Chesterfield County apartment to get some of his prescription methadone, which they had paid for earlier. Carrowiano said Smith refused a diluted dose of the drug and insisted on taking an undiluted bottle instead.

"He was my friend, and if I could trade places with him, I would. I never meant to hurt anybody," Carrowiano said.

Smith left behind a wife and three young children, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Heidi Barshinger said.
Contact Melodie N. Martin at (804) 649-6290 or mmartin@timesdispatch.com.