Two charged with manslaughter in connection with overdose death of Waynesburg man

Two people previously arrested for allegedly giving a Waynesburg man drugs that led to a fatal overdose are now facing murder charges.

On Tuesday, previous charges filed last week, including drug delivery resulting in death, were withdrawn and re-filed by Waynesburg police against Jake Anthony Finogle and Tiffany Gump, now including manslaughter.

Finogle, 24, and Gump, 28, both of Waynesburg, are suspected of giving Taylor Lee Arthur marijuana laced with fentanyl on June 19. Arthur, 25, was found dead next to railroad tracks near the 800 block of East Greene Street.

Gump told police they laced the marijuana with the intention of causing Arthur to overdose and die, court documents say. Finogle told investigators he warned Arthur before handing over the drugs that they contained fentanyl.

Greene County District Attorney Brianna Vanata said Wednesday that no murder charges were initially filed in the case because investigators felt they needed additional evidence.

“The only comment I can make is that (Waynesburg police) were able to corroborate the defendant’s statements with actual, physical evidence,” Vanata said.

According to the criminal complaint, police were tipped off to Gump and Finogle’s possible involvement by a woman who said the two dropped off a bag of Arthur’s clothes the day Arthur died.

Gump told police they found the clothing next to the tracks after police discovered Arthur’s body. Investigators said that was not possible because police had already thoroughly searched the crime scene.

The charging documents state that when describing the contents of the bag, she also mentioned a hat. However, the hat was actually left at the crime scene and taken by police as evidence.

According to the complaint, Finogle said in an interview with investigators that he was aware of Arthur’s distress and frequently checked his pulse.

Police found Arthur lying on his back, but an autopsy revealed he likely died in a prone position and was subsequently moved.

Court documents mention a third person involved in the alleged plot, but that person is not currently charged with any crime.

“They are not currently facing charges, but the investigation is ongoing,” Vanata said.

Finogle and Gump were arraigned Tuesday afternoon before District Judge Lee Watson on the new charges, which also include tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. The two have been held without bail in the Greene County Jail since their initial arrest last week.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 10 at 1:30 p.m.