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Attorney Kevin Abramovitz who pleaded guilty to covering up a man's overdose death nearly two years ago will serve five years probation     .
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Attorney Kevin Abramovitz gets probation in overdose death coverup

Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette

Attorney Kevin Abramovitz gets probation in overdose death coverup

A Pittsburgh defense attorney who pleaded guilty to covering up a man's overdose death nearly two years ago will serve five years probation, including two months on house arrest.

Kevin Abramovitz, 38, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, obstruction, hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence in January before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning.

As part of his plea agreement, he was sent to a 90-day in-patient rehabilitation facility, which he completed on April 23, said defense attorney Komron Jon Maknoon.

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Mr. Abramovitz and his girlfriend, Danielle Smith, received a phone call in the middle of the night on June 24, 2017, that a man who had been staying in Mr. Abramovitz's vacant apartment in Squirrel Hill, Randall Barksdale, had overdosed.

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The witness told police that he or she performed CPR, and after calling Ms. Smith, the couple arrived 10 minutes later.

Mr. Abramovitz left to get Narcan, a drug that can reverse an opiod overdose, and returned 10 minutes later.

The Narcan did not work, and the witness asked Mr. Abramovitz and Ms. Smith to call 911.

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They refused, not wanting the police to come to the apartment.

Instead, Mr. Abramovitz made arrangements for someone to drive Mr. Barksdale to the hospital.

However, the driver became upset, police said, and pushed Mr. Barksdale's body out of the car into an alley.

Mr. Abramovitz called 911 anonymously, and the victim was found wrapped in a purple comforter behind a house on Fair Oaks Street.

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Assistant District Attorney Mike Ball told Judge Manning Monday that the victim's family was unable to attend the sentencing hearing, but that Mr. Barksdale had a long history of drug addiction, calling it "a constant battle.

"A 911 call would have given him a better chance at surviving, a better chance at beating this addiction," Mr. Ball said.

As the criminal case played out, Mr. Abramovitz tested positive for several substances, and the prosecution made rehab part of his plea agreement.

After completing his inpatient treatment, Mr. Maknoon said, Mr. Abramovitz is now enrolled in an intensive outpatient program.

"He attends meetings every day," his attorney said. "He is working the 12 steps."

Mr. Abramovitz, who voluntarily surrendered his law license, thanked the court and prosecution for allowing him to go to rehab.

"It was a life-changing experience," he said.

The case is still pending against Ms. Smith. She is charged with the same counts as Mr. Abramovitz, plus theft and conspiracy.

Paula Reed Ward: pward@post-gazette.com, 412-263-2620 or on Twitter: @PaulaReedWard.

First Published: May 20, 2019, 6:52 p.m.

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Attorney Kevin Abramovitz who pleaded guilty to covering up a man's overdose death nearly two years ago will serve five years probation .  (Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette)
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