Attorney: Philip Seymour Hoffman's Alleged Heroin Dealer Kept Stash Only For Himself
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - One of the men arrested in connection with Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman's death said in court Friday his massive stash was for him only.
A lawyer for a Robert Vineberg said the 300 packets of heroin allegedly found in the musician's Mott Street apartment and studio would have been largely for his own consumption.
Vineberg was in court Friday seeking bail on a drug charge. A judge set bond at $200,000.
Attorney: Philip Seymour Hoffman's Alleged Heroin Dealer Kept Stash Only For Himself
As WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported, the musician claims he was just a friend of the actor, not his drug dealer.
Vineberg is charged with possessing heroin with the intent to sell. The 57-year-old was arrested as police followed leads after Hoffman's Feb. 2 death in an apparent heroin overdose. Dozens of glassine envelopes determined to be heroin were found in the actor's home, authorities said.
Defense lawyer Edward Kratt says Vineberg has a 10-bag-a-day heroin addiction and much of the alleged stash "was for his own use.''
Vineberg told the New York Post on Saturday that he and Hoffman were friends and last communicated by text in December.
Vineberg was one of four people rounded up in connection with Hoffman's apparent fatal overdose.
Juliana Luchkiw, 22, and Max Rosenblum, 22, were arraigned along with Vineberg last week. The both faced misdemeanor drug possession charges. Prosecutors did not file charges against the fourth person.
Hoffman, 46, was mourned by hundreds of family and friends last Friday at a funeral at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on the Upper East Side. He leaves behind his longtime partner and their three young children.
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