PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — A Pawtucket man will spend the next 40 years in prison for providing a 35-year-old mother with the fentanyl-laced cocaine that killed her three years ago, according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha. Walik Morrison, 44, was sentenced Monday to 50 years with 40 to serve in connection with the overdose death of Tokie Zammarelli in January 2022. This marks the first trial and conviction under Kristen's Law, which was enacted seven years ago to hold drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths. The law's namesake, Kristen Coutu, died of a fentanyl overdose after returning home from a rehabilitation facility in 2014. Morrison was convicted of several drug-related charges last year, including delivering a controlled substance resulting in death, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession with intent to deliver fentanyl. Tokie Zammarelli Prosecutors said Zammarelli reached out to Morrison to buy cocaine, but was instead given a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl. Zammarelli was later found unresponsive by her husband and, despite first responders' efforts to revive her, was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed that Zammarelli died from fentanyl and cocaine intoxication. Prosecutors noted that the level of fentanyl in Zammarelli's blood was more than three times the average amount that typically results in death. Morrison was taken into custody after investigators uncovered text messages from him on Zammarelli's cell phone. Prosecutors said Morrison later admitted to crushing up fentanyl pills and giving that powder to Zammarelli instead of the cocaine she had requested. Detectives who searched Morrison's home at the time of his arrest discovered "large amounts" of fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, tramadol and xylazine pills, as well as a small quantity of cocaine and marijuana, according to Neronha. "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," Neronha said. "Though nothing can bring [Zammarelli] back to her family, I am grateful that [Morrison] will pay for his crimes with this significant sentence." Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less